Writing Prompt
Writings
Writings
STORY STARTER
Submitted by Chelsea
A woman finds herself the heir of an estate, and quickly learns that money is truly the root of all evil.
Create a short story where this is the central plot line.
Writings
Money isn’t the root of all evil because if I had money I would be so happy. I would buy land and put all the people dislike on islands and slash their throats with lime and splinters from saw dust and beat the silly with silly putty and put put putt them beat them up and wringle their heads with radioactive acid
Sickleham Hall, ghostly pale, dominated the lush Irish hillside. Her attorney Hal Croydon narrated the property’s assets and liabilities as he drove towards the drive. Ignoring the older man’s droning baritone, Geraldine strained to catch a better view of the estate, her estate.
Geraldine could feel each and every beat of her heart. Six weeks ago, Geraldine had been fishing through her sofa’s cushions for loose bills to buy a chicken burrito. She remembered her heartburn when she received the fantastic phone call from Croydon, Pickaxe & Croydon. Apparently her genealogy test revealed Geraldine may possibly be an heiress. It all felt like a dream, a dream to good to be true. Burrowing into her newly purchased silk scarf and her old pea coat, Geraldine worried when she would wake up.
“Watch you step,” a voice said.
Clearing her thoughts, Geraldine shook her head. Hand outstretched, a nice young man was holding open the car door. She remembered he was Croydon’s assistant Nigel somebody. Geraldine stepped into the shadow of manor house. She shivered. Hal now standing outside the car was still talking about investments. Studying Geraldine’s face, Nigel looked concerned.
“No worries, just someone walking over my grave,” Geraldine said with a laugh.
Paling, Nigel glanced nervously at Hal. Geraldine walked towards Sickleham Hall. Sun bleached stone and dozens of mournful windows, this was her home. Home, she rolled the word in her mouth. She’d never known her father’s people. As a little girl, Geraldine had asked her auntie once about her parents but she didn’t remember the answer just the spanking.
The heavy carved door opened. Arms folded, a severe grey haired matron waited. Hal was fussing at Nigel to attend to my luggage. Geraldine caught a peek of a massive spiral staircase. A breath caught in her throat. The housekeeper looked Geraldine up and down.
After additional DNA tests, Hal had offered to continue to manage Geraldine’s estate and send her funds to America. Her friends said take the money and run. But something had called to Geraldine. Now standing here pulled like a magnet to a place she had never known Geraldine understood.
At the door, she inhaled. Lemon oil and old books scents welcomed her.
“Right this way, Miss,” the housekeeper said.
Drawing herself up, Geraldine stared the older woman down. The housekeeper swallowed hard.
“Begging your pardon, Lady Geraldine, may I show you to the library for refreshments.”
Tossing her scarf over one shoulder, Geraldine gave a brief nod. Without a look back, she walked into Sickleham.
I don’t know who Or why But I miss…something?
I think I miss the touch That I dream and read about Or maybe The love that people gave me before We fell out. Even if it was fake
I just want
Arms
Holding me. Tightly. Close. Making me feel at home. Feeling safe. I’ve never Felt Safe. Or at home.
I want that.
I find time for you. I make time for you. But when that time comes For us to call I text and you don’t respond at all.
I wait And wait And wait And wait
Because you are worth it. But am I?
Am I worth your time? I feel like you aren’t trying.
I don’t know Am I selfish? I rarely do this… I just don’t like that you use me My time And text me when I can’t call Like you are trying to get out of it.
Is my love for you not enough anymore?
Sarah is a ordinary woman who lives upon her own. Even though the life is no easy, but she is still positive. One day, Sarah took a walk on the street as usual. There were two men standing on the sidewalk, when Sarah came closer, they treated her respectfully. “Ms. Sarah, my lady, you’re selected to be heir of your grandfather’s estate. Please follow me to the company.” The man said. “The company is now under threat of bankruptcy because no one is there to take control of the situation. Moreover, the trusted acting manager has separated the company, he took half of the estate and founded he called “New Sarah Estate Company”, his purpose was to against us, and took away all your grandfather’s estate. Another man told Sarah, “My lady, your grandfather is in the hospital, and soon will…” Sarah’s mind filled with surprise and confusion, because she was never told that she actually has a grandfather. No time to think too much, Sarah went to the hospital. There, she saw her grandfather and listened to his words. Then, she went to the company to took over the job. After several days, she found out that money is truly the root of all evil. The manager was a hardworking man from the beginning, he helped her grandfather to make good decisions. It was a afternoon, the manager and her grandfather had a talk. He inadvertently saw the report on the table while her grandfather left for a moment. From that point, the manager had two faces, he worked hard during the day, and “worked hard” at night, slowly brought his idea in mind to real… In order to defeat her grandfather’s company, the manager started making fake reports long time ago. He sent all the money to his account, leaving a little to the company, and tripled the amount that company earned on fake reports, caused the current situation the company faces. Although Sarah’s company is on the edge of collapse, but she used her wisdom accumulated over the years, miraculously turned the situation around; ultimately defeated the manager’s “New Sarah Estate Company”. At the party, the two men told Sarah why her grandfather picked her as heir, why the company’s name is Sarah Estate Company, why she was never been told that she has a grandfather…
An empire of dust, built on a lack of trust
Ill-fated inheritance, with no substance
Hereditarily cursed, with an insatiable thirst
For riches untold, allowing all else to implode
Not even gaining, the whole world or retaining
Her own soul, It was her own future she stole
And her children’s, who are far from heathens
They all believe, praying for everlasting reprieve
In a picturesque town, Sophia's life took an unexpected turn when she inherited a grand estate. Excited yet apprehensive, she moved into the lavish mansion, eager to explore her newfound fortune.
As she settled in, Sophia noticed a shift in her relationships. Friends she had known for years started treating her differently, their eyes filled with envy and greed. One day, as she walked through the estate's manicured gardens, her childhood friend, Emma, approached her.
Emma's tone was different, laced with a hint of jealousy, "Sophia, it must be nice living in this grand place. You're so lucky."
Sophia felt a pang of sadness. She missed the simplicity of her old life. "Emma, I miss our chats at the bookstore. Money has changed things, hasn't it?"
Emma hesitated, then nodded. "It's hard not to be affected by it all."
Sophia realized that the estate was a golden cage, trapping her in a world where genuine connections were scarce. Longing for authenticity, she made a decision.
One evening, she sat by the river outside her cottage, the setting sun casting a warm glow. She whispered to herself, "I choose love over wealth."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Sophia returned the estate keys, opting for the comfort of her humble cottage. As she unpacked her books and knick-knacks, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. The simplicity and authenticity of her old life welcomed her back with open arms.
Similar writing prompts
STORY STARTER
In a post-apocalyptic Earth, your character finally gets to have a day of thrill and enjoyment after months of hard work and struggle…
STORY STARTER
In a world where everyone must attempt their childhood dreams before they can move on to a stable career, your protagonist is not ready to let go and move on to a real job...