Hi everyone, and welcome to my first contest. I've had way too much time on my hands lately, so help me out and give me something good to read!
UPDATE:
Due to lack of entries, I've decided to add a few more options. So even if you saw this before you might want to take a second look. Using any of the original options ( numbers 3 through 6 ) will give you a slight advantage, but judging from the number of entries I've had so far, you probably don't need to worry about that overly much.
I am a person who believes adversity can either make us stronger or completely destroy us. I also believe which of the two happens is a lot of our own making, and that attitude is at least half the battle. I'm looking for poems or stories that tell about your own experiences and what you might do or wish you had done to change the course of your life.
Your Options
1.) If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice, what do you wish you had known years ago?
2.) Tell me what the biggest obstacle in your life has been, and how or if you have overcome it.
3.) Write about why you agree or disagree with any one of the stories that follow below.
4.) What direction do you feel your life has taken, and if you're not happy about it, is there anything you can do to change it?
5.) Like in the story of the two wolves, which wolf is winning inside of you, and why? Again, is there anything you can do to change this?
6.) Write your own story in a manner similar to these, imparting a great truth or insight you’ve learned at some point in your life. ( If you choose this option, please keep it to a reasonable length. )
7.) Anything else that somehow pertains to the stories.
#1 The Farmer and the Donkey
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway-it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all of his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyones' amazement, he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
#2 A Carrot, an Egg, and a Cup of Coffee
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," the daughter replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
#3 The Two Wolves
An old Cherokee was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said, “A battle is raging inside me…it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
The old man looked at the children with a firm stare. “This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”
They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee replied: “The one you feed.”
These stories can be found at:
utopia.utexas.edu/explore/resilience/best.html#carrot
The Rules
1.) Please, please, please use spell check. It is not that difficult to check the little box beneath your poem. I like to see poems with proper grammar and spelling. Your poem may still win, but expect to get a gentle reminder that something is not quite up to snuff.
2.) Please mark your work for critical review. I will acknowledge all poems and all will still be considered for trophies, but if it’s not marked for a critique, you will only get a “thank you for entering” comment.
3.) Asking you to write some weird quote in your author’s notes to prove you’ve read the rules does neither of us any good, in my opinion. Instead, if you wish, post a link to another of your poems you would like a comment on, and I will do my best to read and comment on it. If you think there will be any question to which option you chose, please put the option number in your author’s comments also.
4.) If you are brave enough to write in sticky caps, go for it. You risk my not being able to read it easily, but since I’ve yet to see one of these poems, I will allow them providing I don’t get swamped. This rule is subject to change.
5.) Keep the language clean unless you feel it is absolutely necessary.
6.) Have fun, good luck, and please put forth your best effort.
Prizes:
1st place: Gold trophy and 400 points
2nd place: Silver trophy and 100 points
3d place: Bronze trophy and 50 points
HM’s worth 20 points, to be awarded depending on the quality and number of entries.
UPDATE:
Due to lack of entries, I've decided to add a few more options. So even if you saw this before you might want to take a second look. Using any of the original options ( numbers 3 through 6 ) will give you a slight advantage, but judging from the number of entries I've had so far, you probably don't need to worry about that overly much.
I am a person who believes adversity can either make us stronger or completely destroy us. I also believe which of the two happens is a lot of our own making, and that attitude is at least half the battle. I'm looking for poems or stories that tell about your own experiences and what you might do or wish you had done to change the course of your life.
Your Options
1.) If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice, what do you wish you had known years ago?
2.) Tell me what the biggest obstacle in your life has been, and how or if you have overcome it.
3.) Write about why you agree or disagree with any one of the stories that follow below.
4.) What direction do you feel your life has taken, and if you're not happy about it, is there anything you can do to change it?
5.) Like in the story of the two wolves, which wolf is winning inside of you, and why? Again, is there anything you can do to change this?
6.) Write your own story in a manner similar to these, imparting a great truth or insight you’ve learned at some point in your life. ( If you choose this option, please keep it to a reasonable length. )
7.) Anything else that somehow pertains to the stories.
#1 The Farmer and the Donkey
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway-it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all of his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyones' amazement, he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
#2 A Carrot, an Egg, and a Cup of Coffee
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," the daughter replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
#3 The Two Wolves
An old Cherokee was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said, “A battle is raging inside me…it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
The old man looked at the children with a firm stare. “This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”
They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee replied: “The one you feed.”
These stories can be found at:
utopia.utexas.edu/explore/resilience/best.html#carrot
The Rules
1.) Please, please, please use spell check. It is not that difficult to check the little box beneath your poem. I like to see poems with proper grammar and spelling. Your poem may still win, but expect to get a gentle reminder that something is not quite up to snuff.
2.) Please mark your work for critical review. I will acknowledge all poems and all will still be considered for trophies, but if it’s not marked for a critique, you will only get a “thank you for entering” comment.
3.) Asking you to write some weird quote in your author’s notes to prove you’ve read the rules does neither of us any good, in my opinion. Instead, if you wish, post a link to another of your poems you would like a comment on, and I will do my best to read and comment on it. If you think there will be any question to which option you chose, please put the option number in your author’s comments also.
4.) If you are brave enough to write in sticky caps, go for it. You risk my not being able to read it easily, but since I’ve yet to see one of these poems, I will allow them providing I don’t get swamped. This rule is subject to change.
5.) Keep the language clean unless you feel it is absolutely necessary.
6.) Have fun, good luck, and please put forth your best effort.
Prizes:
1st place: Gold trophy and 400 points
2nd place: Silver trophy and 100 points
3d place: Bronze trophy and 50 points
HM’s worth 20 points, to be awarded depending on the quality and number of entries.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on August 1, 2006
- Rewards: Gold: 400
- Final notes: Although this contest started slowly and I worried about the number of entries I might receive, I was extremely pleased with the end results. Often I’ve heard contest holders remark about how difficult judging was, but I didn’t truly believe it until I had to do it myself. Sadly, for each person who gets a trophy, another 9 will be disappointed. I judged entries by three criteria: First, how much the poem affected me or touched my heart. Second, on the quality of the writing, imagery, etc. And third, how well the poem fit into the options given for the contest. All of which are, of course, completely subjective to my own opinion. I am being generous with honorable mentions because each of these truly deserve recognition for either their heartfelt story or excellent writing, if not both, and I will be applauding all poems because I think you all deserve it. I thank everyone who entered and hope to see more of you in the future.
Gold:
This is Real Life, Okay! By: Poetryality
Entries [12]
1 - 12 of 12-
Prostitution, what can I say?
After getting kicked out of the navy.• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
-
That you're better off where you are
And that I should just be happy• Commented on by judge. -
I am unconvinced
by your feeble• Commented on by judge. -
Twenty seven years of age I have a problem I that should finally be told,
I am slowly becoming an alcoholic my mind is know longer mine to hold,• Commented on by judge. -
"Pardon me?" said the fly to the spider who was passing by.
"I see you,ve legs all numbered eight and that web you,ve built is bloody great!"by evermorelong 16 lines, 12 comments, on Jul 23 1:25 PM 2006. In Other• Commented on by judge. -
Some roads, are very rarely paths;
And, certain piece of lands does have-• Commented on by judge. -
This is not balance, I think as I cry
The bad outweighs good, why should I try?• Commented on by judge. -
When your world seems to be all upside down,
do you fight back or just turn around!!• Commented on by judge. -
Innocence abolished at age 14.
Wanting individuality but not rejection.• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
-
An original and creative contest,will bookmark,good luck with your contest
-
I must admit this is quite the creative and unique contest you have here. It truly makes you think. I also agree that it is all in the attitude that makes the difference in everything we do and say everyday of ourlives. I am bookmarking this and shall see what I can stir up
-
Interesting and original ideas. Very creative options you've got there. I'll see about joining...
DesertRose -
Thanks! Hope to see an entry from you soon!
-
I look forward to reading anything you might come up with. Thanks for taking a look.
-
Good luck with your first contest. I find them extremely difficult. I can never make a decision. Maybe you'll have less difficulty than I have, making a decision. I hope you have a great time with your first contest. I hope you get lots of great poems for your first contest. And that all goes well for your first contest.
Have fun and Rock on
Cville. -
Very unique and
creative contest.
I hope you get a
lot of interesting
entries.
Good luck with the
judging.
Jeannie D Hunter
-
Thanks for the encouragement, would love to see you enter!
~J. -
I think this contest is a bit...too advanced for people. Or more, too much trouble. Still, I suppose it is a good idea. I just never can be bothered.
-
I totally admire this contest idea, and I'm with you on the attitude part. For this being your first contest, you've obviously put a lot of thought into it. I wish you much success not only with this contest, but in your future poetic endeavors.
-
I will be back for this one, ideas already running around in me. I think this is going to be fun!
-
I read and enjoyed each of the stories. It seems a little daunting, though, since I have two papers to write in the next week. Any option is worth writing about, though, and if I can spare any time, I'll try.
-
Got BOO?
-
Thanks, Linda. I'd love to see you enter the contest. Your entries are always fun to read.
~J. -
Good
Good luck with your first contest. I haven't hosted any contest myself but and thinking about starting one. Have fun. -
hey whats up? i really like your contest...i wish there was allowed prewrite though...i have something i could use for option 4 or 5...
♥ lynn -
challenging
Interesting contest, hope you get lots of entries. good luck -
I went ahead and opened this to prewrites, so you are welcome to enter yours. Thanks and good luck!
~J. -
Wow.. lots of good options, I must say, and has my mind trying to come up with somehting. I am going to bookmark this and see if my fingers will let it come out. Athena
-
Lots of options. Thats good. This really doesnt sound like my kind of contest though. Good luck with judging!
-
Clicked on this from the featured box. sorry, I thought it was a poem and not a contest.
Anyway, good luck with your contest, hope you get some good exciting entries, and enjoy the judging
-
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," the daughter replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the
I could just tell that was leading into something really nice, it made me want to read more abount this contest, hmm, I might just get into it! -
Gonna think about this and see what I can come up with...Great idea for contest.
Soulful Woman -
Hi Trista, I have entered this contest for two reasons, your contest is all about being optimistic and positive in life, which I think I am, I love the idea of all optimistic poems at one place. The second reason is, I love EAP too, so looking forward to sharing more of my thoughts on EAP with you, all the best with the contest.
-
wow, this looks like a wonderful contest, i hope you get many entries!
-
Thank you for hosting an amazing contest, trista. There were many gifted Poets on this page, all worthy of accolades. Congratulations to those that placed, as well as to those who entered. Thank you for the honorable mention & points. Be well, Poets. Wanda
"Leaving Home, 1988"
www.allpoetry.com/Poem/2115951 -
Thank you ever so much for the GOLD in this challenge, and the points. It humbles me to know that some of my earlier poetry that was on this site, at present receives merit. I am honored.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE TROPHY WINNERS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS
Thank you for hosting such an intense challenge.
Much Love & Many Blessings,
Renee 
-
You are very welcome, and it was well deserved. If this was an early write of yours, I look forward to seeing some of your more current work!
Thanks again,
~J. -
Trista thank you so much for the HM and poiNTS. After reading the other pieces I was surprised you chose mine but thank you very very much. Congrats to all the winners. Love Claire
-
thankyou, trista...for all your hard work. much appreciated .....it's you that should get gold......cause you are...
........................all the best.......................Lionslove (and congrats to all the winners.....i read them all and you all deserve the cups!)
-
Congratulations to all the winners.
-
Night Hope,
Thank you for entering such a beautiful and well told story in poem form. As I sat looking over the entries, I realized just how many truly deserved recognition, yours being one of them. I hope to see you again in my next contest, and meanwhile look forward to reading more of your very gifted writing.
~J. -
recovering slowly,
Your poem touched me deeply. You should not be surprised, it was well written. I feel blessed to have "found" so many talented writers in hosting this contest. Once I catch up on some other things I look forward to looking at more of these amazing writer's work, yours included. Thank you again for entering.
All the best,
~J. -
Lionslove,
I've seen in you a heart of gold
as on the page, your life unfolds
Yet no matter what life's thrown at you
instead of dying, you bloomed and grew
I admire you for your strength, kindness, graciousness, and so much more. Thank you for the honor of entering my contest.
~J.
-
Silver trophy winner
Adding your comment:
