DRABBLE WRITING CONTEST: 

FINALISTS NAMED

To celebrate the publication of Kissing Frogs and Other Quirky Fairy Tales, Hawaii Fiction Writers announce the two finalists in the Super Bowl Drabble Contest.  The challenge was to write the opening of a familiar fairy tale as told by a famous writer.  The two finalists will write one more drabble (exactly 100 words, the opening of a familiar fairy tale as told by a famous writer.  The winner, to be announced on February 7, Super Bowl Sunday, will receive (1) a copy of Fractured Fairy Tales, by A.J. Jacobs, as featured on the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show; and (2) bragging rights.

Honorable mention to Lizbeth Hartz for "Hansel and Gretel, as told by Ray Bradbury", and to Kent Reinker for "The Turtle Prince, as told by Ernest Hemingway."

Congratulations to the two finalists:  Laureen Kwock for "Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as told by Mickey Spillane" and J.T. Page Jr.  for "Hansel and Gretel, as told by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."  And here are the two drabbles that are headed to the Super Bowl:

Laureen Kwock:  "Goldilocks and the Three Bears,
as told by Mickey Spillane"

I told the blonde not to do it. She didn’t listen. Blondes never do.

Her first mistake was breaking and entering. She claimed the coast was clear. The Baers out for the day. Just enough time to look around.

Things got bad fast. Never mess with someone else’s porridge. And did she need to sample all three? Too hot, too cold. Just right.

Mistakes piled up. Trying out the furniture, breaking that chair and getting caught in Baby Baer’s bed.

I made sure they didn’t press charges. Money talks. And Goldie? She’s grounded for life. Not going anywhere ever again. 

J.T. Page Jr.:  "Hansel and Gretel,
as told by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle"

It was bitterly cold outside.

A thick fog settled over the woodcutter’s impoverished hut near the edge of the great forest.

He had a singular dilemma. His family was starving.

However, the woodcutter’s new wife, stepmother to his two children, had an elementary but sinister solution: take Hansel and Gretel into the forest and abandon them.

Hansel observed the situation was dire after overhearing his father and stepmother arguing. Gretel was fearful but Hansel calmed her by saying he had a plan.

Early the next morning, their father led his innocent children deep into the forest.

The shame was afoot.