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Well, this contest is basically what the title says. Im looking for the perfect bedtime story. My little bro gave me the idea just now. The prize money depends on how well its written, but at a minimum of 1500. Nothing to scary, you know something for kids ages 3-6. All of the contests will go on until the end of this month, the 31st.

sounds interesting, I'll give it a shot

Very, very cute.

Hello, I've just finished my first short story and I wanted to see how people liked it. If there's a section that needs improvement, please leave a comment. Sorry that there isn't any tabbing! I tried putting tabbing in but it doesn't want to show the spacing. So I hope it doesn't confuse anyone who reads it. Here it is:

Child-Hood Captor

“Have you heard? The crew is coming back today! They have been gone for almost five years now. They should be arriving sometime this afternoon,” Jenessa exclaimed to her family. Earlier this morning, a letter had arrived at their doorstep that the Carlston would be docking today.
“That’s wonderful, my dear. Didn’t your sweet Edmund go on that ship?” Jenessa nodded her head. “Then you’ll have to invite him to dinner tonight. Or tomorrow, whichever is best for him.” Her mother said.
“I was planning on that. I need to tell the cook to get ready for a feast! We shall be inviting everyone from the crew tonight.” Jenessa’s father said and looked at his daughter. “Now, I must go so I shall see you all tonight.” He stood up from his chair and walked over into the kitchen.
The house they lived in was a new two floor mansion. Jenessa’s father worked for the King so they could afford almost anything. Jenessa’s mother, Carol, worked around the house to keep herself busy. Jenessa’s job was to take care of her little brother, Justin, who was only a year old. Jenessa didn’t mind taking care of him but she wanted to get out more. Even though her family was rich, they only had a couple horses and they were used by the guards.
Jenessa walked out of the sitting room and looked at the spiral staircase. One of the maids was cleaning a certain spot where Justin had decided to do his business.
“Are you almost done cleaning? I need your help with buying food for the crew coming tonight.” Jenessa asked the maid.
“We maids can get the food, Miss Jenessa. Thank you for the kind offer though.” The maid replied and stood up. The maid walked away from Jenessa and went outside.
All the maids liked the family but the new maid followed the rules exactly. She didn’t even like Jenessa’s mother to help out with the cleaning. Jenessa walked up the marble steps and turned right at the stairs towards her room. Once she was inside her room with her big bed, nice wood dresser, and all the books she could read, she sat down at her desk and started writing.

That Night
“Father, can I go with you to pick up the crew?” Jenessa asked as she ran down the stairs. Her father was about to leave for the inn the crew were staying in. Her father turned around from the door and replied,
“If it means that much to you, you may come with me. Try to remember that Edmund is going to be very tired from the voyage.” Jenessa jumped at the last two steps and ran to her father.
“Thank you, Father. I will be ready in a few minutes.” Jenessa said and ran up the steps to her room. She had already set out a dress for that night. She pulled the blue satin dress over her head and slipped on her best shoes. Once she was done getting dressed, she walked over to the mirror and checked to make sure her hair was alright. She moved her fingers through her thin hair and walked over to the door and opened it. She wanted this to be a night to remember.
30 Minutes Later
“I think I see the inn! Tell the driver to go faster! I can’t wait to see Edmund.” Jenessa said with a huge smile on her face. Her father chuckled and told the driver to make the horses go faster.
Once the carriage stopped, Jenessa stepped out and looked at the ships out on the dock. The inn by the ships was where the crew was staying. Jenessa smiled and walked towards the inn. She felt like running but she knew that she should wait for her father. When they got to the door, her father opened it and walked in. Jenessa waited a second so she could make sure she looked alright. Before she could get the chance to fix her dress, she heard her father yell,
“Jenessa! Run!” Jenessa didn’t know what the reason was for but she picked up the front of her skirt and ran back towards the carriage. She made it to the carriage and started calling for the driver but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. She looked inside the carriage and a man was sitting there she had never met before.
“Sir, you must help me! I think my father is in danger! He walked into the inn but he told me to run. Please help me!” She said quickly to the stranger. The man looked at her and replied,
“Now, why would I do that? Your father is probably fine, but in a minute you won’t be.” The man said with a gruff voice. Before Jenessa could react, the man jumped out of the carriage and grabbed her wrist.
“Come on, men! We’ve got what we came for.” He yelled towards the inn. About thirty men stepped out of the inn. All of them were carrying money and jewels. Once they were all out they started running towards the ships. Jenessa tried to snatch away her wrist from his grip but she wasn’t strong enough. The man looked at her and smiled.
“What? Do you not like your wrist being held by a man you don’t know?” The man asked Jenessa as she struggled to get away.
“No, I do not. Let go of me! I must go find my father.” She yelled at him. The man started walking towards the docks with his hand still around her wrist.
“I’m sorry, but you won’t be going back to that inn, Jenessa.” Her captor said.
After stopping in front of the Carlston, Jenessa was pushed up the walkway and was left alone once she had made it onto the ship. There were men all around getting ready to leave the shore. The man who had grabbed her wrist went to the front of the ship and yelled,
“Hoist the sails men! We’ve got our catch for the day.” The man shouted at his men as he looked at their catch. He looked at Jenessa as he said this. All the men looked at her but then turned away before the Captain saw them eyeing her. They all obeyed the Captain and started to untie the ship from the dock. While the men worked and the Captain looked at the amount of money they had made, Jenessa started to run as fast as she could towards the exit but she was too late.
The Captain had been watching her the last few minutes and at the last minute was able to grab Jenessa before she was able to escape.
“Why won’t you let me go? You got all this money!” She yelled at the Captain as he held her arms behind her back.
“It wouldn’t be the same without you, Jenessa.” He replied as he loosened his grip.
Jenessa looked at him and wondered why he knew her name. She hadn’t met him before but he did look like Edmund, her child-hood sweetheart. This man’s face seemed too old to be him though. He looked about 35. Edmund would be at least five years younger than this man. She had been twenty when Edmund had left. He had been twenty five. This man and Edmund had the same exact hair color and same color of eyes but something was different. Even the way they walked was the same.
The first question that popped into her mind screamed at her and she asked,
“Why do you know my name? Just tell me who you are.” She said to him with a questionable voice.
The man looked at her and said, “You probably won’t believe me but I’m Edmund and I’m the Captain of this ship. As you have probably guessed, this is no ordinary ship. It is a pirate ship. I know you have many questions but I would like to ask a question first; do you remember me?”
Jenessa covered her mouth with her hand as she backed away from him. She hadn’t that about it being a pirate ship. This was her child hood friend. How could he be the Captain? Why did he join the pirates? Where was the crew? She had so many questions but she couldn’t ask one. Edmund called out her name but she didn’t stop backing up. She looked at the walkway once more but the men had already finished setting sail. The ship was already too far a distance to swim. Jenessa fell on her knees and tears started running down her faces. Someone put a hand on her shoulder but she hit it away. She looked behind her and saw it was Edmund. Yes, of course she had remembered him.
“Yes, I remember you. I waited five years for you to return. I thought that we could live peaceful lives once you were back. What have you done?” Her voice started to choke up too much so she stopped talking.
Edmund looked at her and said,
“I waited much longer than you could imagine coming back to you. I chose to be Captain to save the crew from death. The crew had chosen me to battle the original captain to a sword fight and I won. I was then chosen as the new captain of the ship so the crew were let go. We had sailed to unfamiliar waters and we found a land filled with wonderful people. Except for the pirates. Our ship was captured by them and I was challenged. That is when I became Captain of the Pirates. The crew told me that in their world, time lived on but outside of their world time dragged on very slowly. They also told me I could come back here any time I want. I wanted to see you again and make you my wife. I am 10 years older now and I hope that doesn’t change the love you had for me then 10 years ago.” He ended his story by taking out a beautiful ring from his pocket.
Once he was done speaking, Jenessa knew she didn’t have much of a choice. She had still loved him but she couldn’t just leave her family like that.
“I know what you are thinking. It’s about your family, isn’t it? I don’t know how to explain this, but your family no longer remembers you. This is because you are now in the other world against your own free will. I came here with my crew not knowing what was going to happen but I was willing. You can go back, but your parents won’t know who you are. I’m very sorry.”
Jenessa stared at him, not knowing whether she should hate him or love him. Most of her questions were answered but she felt hollow inside. She loved her parents and her brother but if they didn’t remember her, what was the use of going back? She looked back at the man who had kidnapped her and stared into his eyes. All she could see was the love that had been there five years ago. Ten years in his time. She knew that she had the same feelings for him but why did it have to end like this? She cleared her throat and replied,
“Edmund, I still love you. I wish things could have been different and that I could still see my family but you have prevented that from happening. I don’t know if I should hate you or love you right now. I…” She wasn’t able to finish her sentence because Edmund had pulled her closer to him and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. He backed up a foot and said,
“Who says you have to decide now? Time is slower there. You have a long time to decide. With all my power, I will try to make your family remember you if you decide to go back. I don’t know if it is possible though. I just want you to know that my feelings are true.” Edmund told her. Before he could begin speaking again, Jenessa grabbed the ring and slid it on her finger. It fit her perfectly.
“It’s a perfect fit and is a very beautiful ring. I have my answer for you, my Edmund. Since I can't see my family, I shall stay with you, my Child-Hood Captor.” She told him. After saying this, she hugged Edmund and whispered, “I love you” into his ear while tears rolled down her cheek.

The End

Heh... I have two and I'm not sure which to submit, so I'll post both.

The Faithless Tom

‘Twas a bright summer day when the sky was pale blue and the sun cast its warmth upon the earth. Small white flecks of light dappled the forest floor. The trees were alive with the chattering of squirrels and the singing of birds. Even the bees joined in with their gentle hum. The leaves parted as a blazing red tom strutted around in the undergrowth. His pelt gleamed and a mane of fur flared out around his neck, taking on a lion-like appearance. Pine green eyes surveyed the forest, seeking out an object known only to him. He sat himself down and turned his head to groom himself. But as he did so his eyes rest upon a she-cat with pale brown fur and fair blue eyes. Her silky pelt clung to her slender form. He got once again to his paws and raised his tail high in greeting. Bowing his head low and extending a leg he purred, "Hello m'lady. What brings a fair maid such as yourself out on this fine summer's day?"

The sandy colored she-cat's eyes met those of the fiery tom. She turned her head and giggled, embarrassed by the other cat's praise. Shyly she said, "I came here to enjoy the weather." Her eyes were fixed on her petite paws. She meowed, "Oh…I'm sorry. It seems I haven't introduced myself. My name's Aura."

Forestfire stood himself up and rumbled, "Oh yes. Where are my manners? I go by Forestfire but you, m'gel, can call me Fire." He dipped his head and touched his nose to her paw, a gentle purr vibrating in his throat. She's perfect. Indeed she was; she was the cat he had been looking for. At least, she was at the moment. His dark green eyes glinted in the sunlight breaking through the leaves in the thick canopy.

In a small, sweet voice Aura meowed, "Well then, Fire, would you like to go hunting?" A gentle breeze ruffled her long, fawn colored fur. She got to her paws and shook bits of moss from her coat. Her long fur got terribly ruffled. She paused and took a moment to groom it. Not long after it was back to its former beauty. She turned her head, ready to go hunting. But then she saw a terrible sight. It was one that brought her bouts of hate and rage. It was Forestfire flirting with another she-cat.

Her pelt was black as night and her eyes were black as well. Her coat was short and sleek, shinning prettily. She spoke in a warm, gentle voice, not unlike that of a lark trilling out the first song of the spring. And Forestfire was singing her praise in his baritone voice. Aura's sandy colored pelt bristled with unbridled anger. "Well, Fire, do you care to explain this?" Her voice was no longer the gentle whisper it had been. It was low and quivered with fury.

The dark red tom purred cheerily. He mewed, "Oh, Aura! I'd like you to meet Sapphira!" He flicked his tail towards the dark black she-cat, his evergreen eyes shinning brightly. He obviously had no clue what he had done wrong as a huge grin was plastered on his maw.

Tears began to bead up in Aura's baby blue eyes. Her tail drooped. "I-I thought you loved me!" Her voice was bitter with resentment and sorrow. He had been so nice to her at first; so—so gentle and caring. But apparently that had all been a lie. He had never truly liked her. She was just there to keep him busy until he found another cat to pad after. But the worst part was she still wanted him! How could she possibly still like him? He had betrayed her. It wasn't fair.

Forestfire meowed, "Oh buck up m'gel! This doesn't mean I don't love you." He still didn't get it.

Sapphira hissed, "What?" A snarl crept its way across her face as she stared at Forestfire. Like Aura she had thought Forestfire liked her. Only her. She didn't think he would go running back to that other cat. She spat, "Good riddance tom!" as she turned and darted away, not even casting a backwards glance.

Aura too hissed at Forestfire. "If you wish to keep a she-cat learn to be a bit more faithful!" She too darted away and into the depths of the forest, leaving Forestfire completely alone.

The Bellboy's Tale
I do not pretend to care for morals,
In fact I am pleased to ignore them all!
No bag or suitcase is safe from my eyes.
No! My greatest pleasure is oft’ to pry
It serves the silly old fool right, you know.
His ceaseless demands have been cause for woe
Among the hotel’s innocent bell boys,
Who he really does love to terrorize.
Here is the tale of one such employee,
Whose greatest vice was curiosity.
He knew much of his boss and loved to tell
Of the mistress he kept in his hotel,
Poor boy carried her bags day after day,
As she snarled and yelled ‘til his hair turned gray.
Oh! The poor, gossiping, over-worked boy,
From whose life his manager took all joy!
But, of course, he still enjoyed one hobby—
To be the world’s biggest busybody.
So he looked in her bag and through her things,
Once he escaped from her and her mood-swings.
He poked and he pried without any shame,
To see what great black-mail through this act came.
He’d fix her good! Yes, he’d find his revenge,
Find a skeleton that would make her cringe!
With a jubilant laugh he gave a shout,
“By God! Look what I have ferreted out!”
With a hop and a skip he left room ten
With pictures of nearly ten other men.
The photos were dated conveniently,
All glaring proof of infidelity!
He danced through the lobby rejoicing in
The luck he’d had in exposing her sin.
But the witch had already bested him,
As she approached his expression turned grim,
When she referred him to the management
And made quite clear her malicious intent.
The manager then accused him of theft,
And left the poor, hapless bell boy bereft
Of his job and his pay-check, proving that,
The good fortune he’d found had left him flat.
But, it must be said, he wasn’t quite done—
The witch his boss had just chosen to shun!
So in the end he had won and he’d lost,
Curiosity had come with some cost.
So, dear friends, when you get the urge to pry,
Beware of the price that is oft’ quite high!
If you have the urge to be unfaithful,
And you succeed you had best be grateful,
For you had best know without any doubt,
Some curious bell boy will find you out.

(The second one was an English assignment. We were broken into groups and we had to write a frame story, similar to the Canterbury Tales. Since ours was set in a hotel, I got to write the bellboy's tale. The requirements? Between 40-50 lines, 10 beats per line, and in rhyming couplets. Though, I admit I cheated and used a bunch of slant rhymes.)