Please help us spread the word about a writing contest for Mormon writers from any country and working in any language!

The Mormon Lit Blitz is a contest for stories, essays, and poems about Latter-day Saints’ lives, beliefs, and interests.  In the past, we have published stories, essays, and poems in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Tagalog, and Estonian. We encourage writers to submit work in any language for a special “Around the World” contest. We plan to publish twelve pieces as contest finalists. Our audience will choose a favorite piece to win a $200 prize. A literary judge will award another $200 prize to another piece.   

The deadline for the contest is March 31, 2023. Authors can send up to three submissions. Each submission can be no more than 1,500 words long. Please email stories to everydaymormonwriter@gmail.com. Authors should include their name, contact information, and the title of each piece in the body of the email.

By submitting, authors give us the nonexclusive right to publish their work online and in a future print anthology (we plan to publish the third volume of our anthology series in 2027 and will send a copy to each author included in the book at that time). Authors remain free to republish their work in their own collections or anywhere else they choose. 

For this contest to succeed, we need your help to share this call with Mormon writers around the world. Submissions in any language are acceptable. 

Frequently asked questions:

What language will the finalists be published in? 

The stories chosen as finalists will be published both in their original language and in English. If they wish, writers may submit their own translations of their story, or permit our volunteer judges and translators to evaluate and translate their story.

Can I submit my story if it is longer than 1,500 words? 

No. Stories need to be under 1,500 words to qualify for the contest.

Does my piece need to have Latter-day Saint characters? 

No. Some past winners talk about Latter-day Saints characters, scriptures, or history. Others explore themes like family, choices, or death in ways that might interest Latter-day Saint readers.  

Mormon Lit Blitz: Convocatoria Mundial

Les rogamos que nos ayuden a correr la voz de ¡un certamen de cuentos para escritores mormones provenientes de cualquier país, en el idioma que sea!

Mormon Lit Blitz es un concurso para cuentos, ensayos y poemas que se tratan las vidas, las creencias, y los intereses de los Santos de los Últimos Días. Anteriormente, se han publicado cuentos, ensayos, y poemas en inglés, portugués, japonés, tagalo, y estonio. El otoño que viene, se esperan que los escritores presenten obras de qualquier idioma por un concurso especial, Around the World (De todo el mundo). Se publicarán doce obras finalistas del concurso. Los lectores públicos elegirán una obra favorita para ganar un premio de $200 USD. Tambien un juez literario otorgará otro premio de $200 USD a una obra de su elección.

El plazo para presentar obras vence el 31 de marzo de 2023. Los autores podrán presentar hasta tres obras, cada una con una extensión máxima de 1.500 palabras. Sírvanse mandar las obras a everydaymormonwriter@gmail.com. En el cuerpo del correo, los autores deberán incluir su nombre, datos de contacto, y el título de la obra.

Al presentar una obra al concurso, los autores darán a Mormon Litz Blitz el derecho no exclusivo para publicar su obra en línea y tambien en una antología de prensa escrita. Hay planes para publicar esta antología en 2027, y se mandará una copia a cada autor incluido en la antología. Los autores retendrán el derecho de publicar su obra en sus propios colecciones o en cualquier otro lugar.

Para asegurar el éxito del concurso, su ayuda es imprescindible para diseminar las noticias de esta convocatoria con autores mormones de todo el mundo. Se aceptan obras escritas en cualquier idioma.

Preguntas frecuentes:

¿En qué idioma se publicarán las obras finalistas?

Las obras seleccionadas como finalistas se publicarán tanto en el idioma original como en inglés. Los autores que lo deseen podrán presentar su propia traducción de la obra o, en su defecto, permitir a nuestros jueces y traductores voluntarios evaluar y traducir el trabajo.

¿Puedo enviar obras de más de 1.500 palabras?

No. Para ser evaluadas, las obras deben ser de 1.500 palabras o menos.

¿ Necesitan tener personajes SUD mis obras enviadas?

No. Algunas ganadores previos han mencionado personajes, escrituras, o historias SUD. Otros han explorado temas de familia, elección, or la muerte en una manera de interés a lectores SUD. 

Mórmon Lit Blitz: Chamada Global para candidaturas
Por favor, ajude-nos a divulgar um concurso de redação para escritores mórmons de qualquer país e trabalhando em qualquer idioma!

O Mormon Lit Blitz é um concurso de histórias, ensaios e poemas sobre a vida, as
crenças e os interesses dos Santos dos Últimos Dias. No passado, publicamos histórias, ensaios e poemas em inglês, espanhol, português, japonês, tagalo e estoniano. Neste outono, incentivamos os escritores a enviar trabalhos em qualquer idioma para um concurso especial “Around the World”. Planejamos publicar doze peças como finalistas do concurso. Nosso público escolherá uma peça favorita para ganhar um prémio de $200. Um júri literário concederá outro prémio de US$ 200 à outra peça. O prazo para o concurso é até 31 de março de 2023. Os autores podem enviar até três candidaturas. Cada trabalho não pode ter mais de 1.500 palavras. Envie histórias por e-mail para dailymormonwriter@gmail.com. Os autores devem incluir seu nome, informações de contato e o título de cada peça no corpo do e-mail. Ao enviar os trabalhos, os autores nos dão o direito não exclusivo de publicar sua obra online e em uma futura antologia impressa (planejamos publicar o terceiro volume de nossa série de antologias em 2027 e enviaremos uma cópia para cada autor incluído no livro naquele momento). Os autores permanecem livres para republicar seus trabalhos em suas próprias coleções ou em qualquer outro lugar que escolherem. Para que este concurso seja bem-sucedido, precisamos da sua ajuda para compartilhar este anúncio com os escritores mórmons de todo o mundo. Trabalhos literários em qualquer idioma são aceitáveis.

Perguntas frequentes:
Em que idioma os finalistas serão publicados?
As histórias escolhidas como finalistas, serão publicadas tanto em seu idioma original quanto em inglês. Se desejarem, os escritores podem enviar suas próprias traduções de sua história ou permitir que nossos júris e tradutores voluntários avaliem e traduzam a sua história.

Posso enviar minha história se ela tiver mais de 1.500 palavras?
Não. As histórias precisam ter no máximo 1.500 palavras, para se qualificar para o concurso.

Minha peça precisa ter personagens santos dos últimos dias?
Não. Alguns vencedores anteriores falam sobre personagens, escrituras ou história dos Santos dos Últimos Dias. Outros exploram temas como família, escolhas ou morte de maneiras que podem interessar aos leitores santos dos últimos dias.

モルモン文学短編世界コンテストの公募: Mormon Lit Blitz

どんな言語でも、どの国からでも応募できる、末日聖徒（モルモン）の著者による短編
作品コンテストを開催します！
Mormon Lit Blitzは末日聖徒の生活、信仰、興味に関する短編小説、エッセイ、詩を募
集するコンテストです。過去には、英語、スペイン語、ポルトガル語、日本語、タガロ
グ語、エストニア語の短編小説、エッセイ、詩を発表しました。今年は、特別な「世界
コンテスト」のため、どの言語でも作品を提出することを著者の方々を公募します。コ
ンテストのファイナリストとして、12作品を掲載する予定です。二つの賞があります
。読者好評賞（賞金：200 USドル）、また審査員好評賞（賞金：200 USドル）。
コンテストの締め切りは2023年3月31日です。作品は著者お一人につき３作品まで投稿
いただけます。各応募作品の長さは英語1500語（日本語3500字）までの作品を受け入
れます。作品をeverydaymormonwriter@gmail.comに電子メールで送ってください。ま
た、著者の名前、連絡先、各作品のタイトル、またどの国を舞台にしているかを明記し
て下さい。
著者は、投稿作品をオンラインおよび印刷版のアンソロジーに掲載する非独占的な権利
を当組織に与えるものとします（当組織は2027年にアンソロジーシリーズ第3巻の出版
を予定しており、その際に掲載された各著者にコピーを送付する予定です）。著者は、
自分の作品を自分の作品集やその他の場所に自由に再掲載できます。
このコンテストを成功させるためには、この公募を世界中の末日聖徒の著者たちに伝え
るために、皆さんの協力が必要です。どの言語での投稿も可能です。
よくある質問
Q: ファイナリストの作品は何語で出版されるのですか？
A:最終候補作に選ばれた作品は原語と英語の両方で出版される予定です。ご希望であれ
ば、著者自身が翻訳したものを提出することもできますし、ボランティアの審査員や翻
訳者に評価や翻訳を依頼することもできます。
Q: 英語1500語以上の作品(日本語は3500字)を提出することはできますか？
A: いいえ、作品はコンテストの資格を得るために英語1500語以下(日本語は3500字以
下)で編集する必要があります。

Q: 末日聖徒が登場する作品でなければいけませんか？

A: いいえ。過去の入賞者の中には、末日聖徒の登場人物、また聖典、歴史について語
る著者もいます。しかし、末日聖徒の登場人物がいなくて、他に家族、自由意志、死な
どのテーマを、末日聖徒の読者の興味を引くような形で探求している作品もあります。

Mormon Lit Blitz: Globale oproep voor inzendingen

Help ons om aandacht te vragen voor een literatuurwedstrijd voor Mormoonse schrijvers van alle landen en alle talen.

De Mormon Lit Blitz is een wedstrijd voor verhalen, essays en gedichten over het geloof van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen en hun levens en interesses. In het verleden hebben wij verhalen, essays en gedichten gepubliceerd in het Engels, Spaans, Portugees, Japans, Tagalog en het Ests. We moedigen schrijvers aan hun werk in te zenden voor een speciale “Wereldtoer”-wedstrijd. We zullen de twaalf literaire werken van de wedstrijdfinalisten publiceren. De lezers zullen een winnaar kiezen die $200 prijsgeld in de wacht kan slepen. Een literaire jury zal nog een ander winnend stuk literatuur kiezen dat ook met $200 zal worden beloond.

De deadline voor de wedstrijd is 31 maart, 2023. Auteurs kunnen tot maximaal 3 stukken insturen. Elke inzending mag niet meer dan 1500 woorden bevatten. Zend alle verhalen, gedichten of essays naar: everydaymormonwriter@gmail.com. Auteurs moeten hun naam, contactgegevens en de titel van elk stuk in de e-mail insluiten. Bij inzending geven de auteurs het niet-exclusieve recht om hun werk online te publiceren en om het in een toekomstige bloemlezing af te drukken (we zijn van plan om het derde volume van onze bloemlezing te publiceren in 2027 en alle auteurs die erin voorkomen een kopij te zenden). Auteurs behouden het recht om hun werk te herpubliceren in hun eigen uitgave of waar ze het ook willen. Om deze wedstrijd succesvol te maken vragen we jouw hulp om deze oproep te delen met schrijvers over de hele wereld. Inzendingen worden aanvaard in elke taal.

Veelgestelde vragen:
In welke taal zullen de winnende werken worden gepubliceerd?
De verhalen, essays en gedichten zullen in hun originele taal, zowel als in het Engels worden gepubliceerd. Als ze willen, kunnen auteurs hun eigen vertaling van hun werken inzenden. Ze kunnen ook de toestemming geven aan onze vrijwillige juryleden en tolken om hun verhaal te vertalen.

Kan ik mijn verhaal inzenden als het langer dan 1500 woorden is?
Nee. Verhalen mogen niet meer dan 1500 woorden bevatten, anders worden ze gediskwalificeerd.

Moet mijn werk over Heiligen der Laatste Dagen gaan of betrekking hebben op personages ervan?
Nee. Sommige eerdere winnaars schreven over personages, de schriften of de geschiedenis van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen. Andere auteurs verkenden thema’s zoals gezin, keuze of de dood, op manieren die verband houden met de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen.

Mormon Lit Blitz: Global Call for Submissions

Per favore, aiutateci a far girare la voce su di un concorso di scrittura per
mormoni di qualsiasi paese e che scrivono in qualsiasi lingua!

Il Mormon Lit Blitz è un concorso per storie, saggi e poesie sulla vita, le
credenze e gli interessi dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni. In passato, abbiamo
pubblicato racconti, saggi e poesie in inglese, spagnolo, portoghese, giapponese,
filippino ed estone. Incoraggiamo gli scrittori ad inviare opere in qualsiasi
lingua per uno speciale concorso “Around the World”. Abbiamo in programma
di pubblicare dodici brani finalisti del concorso. I lettori sceglieranno la loro
opera preferita e l’opera con più voti vincerà un premio di $200. Un’altra opera
sarà invece premiata con $200 da un giudice letterario.

La scadenza del concorso è il 31 marzo 2023. Gli autori possono inviare fino a
tre opere. Ogni opera non può superare le 1.500 parole. Si prega di inviare le
opere per email a dailymormonwriter@gmail.com. Gli autori dovranno
includere il proprio nome, le informazioni di contatto e il titolo di ogni opera nel
corpo dell’e-mail.

Con l’invio delle opere, gli autori ci danno il diritto non esclusivo di pubblicarle
online e in una futura antologia cartacea (prevediamo di pubblicare il terzo
volume della nostra serie antologica nel 2027 e invieremo una copia a ciascun
autore incluso nel libro in quel momento). Gli autori restano liberi di
ripubblicare a loro piacimento le loro opere in eventuali future raccolte o in
qualsiasi altro luogo preferissero.

Affinché questo concorso abbia successo, abbiamo bisogno del vostro aiuto per
condividere questa chiamata con gli scrittori mormoni di tutto il mondo. Sono
accettati contributi in qualsiasi lingua.

Domande frequenti:

In che lingua verranno pubblicati i finalisti?

Le opere scelte come finaliste saranno pubblicate sia in lingua originale che in
inglese. Se lo desiderano, gli scrittori possono inviare le proprie traduzioni delle
opere o consentire ai nostri giudici e traduttori volontari di valutarle e tradurle.

Posso inviare la mia opera se è più lunga di 1.500 parole?

No. Le opere devono contenere meno di 1.500 parole per qualificarsi per il
concorso.

Il mio pezzo deve avere i personaggi dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni?

No. Alcuni temi scelti dai vincitori delle passate edizioni riguardavano i
personaggi, le scritture o la storia dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni. Altri
esplorarono temi come la famiglia, le scelte o la morte in modi che
interessassero ai lettori dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni.

During the Around the World in Mormon Lit contest, we have published twelve excellent stories, essays, and poems. But only one finalist can receive the $100 (USD) audience choice prize.

Voting is open from now until the end of May 4th, 2019. The winner will be announced on May 6th, 2019.

The following are the twelve finalists with links to the stories both in their original languages and in English.

Spanish finalists:

“Documentary Appendix 1” (“Anexo documental I”) by Gabriel González Núñez

“TIME a particle” (“TIEMPO una partícula”) by Citlalli H. Xochitiotzin

“The Wall of Time” (“La Muralla del Tiempo”) by Camila Andrea Fernández

Portuguese finalists:

“A Sunday at Laginha” (“Um Domingo na Laginha”) by César Augusto Medina Fortes

“The Secret Friend” (“O Amigo Secreto”) by Amanda Araújo de Castro

“Two Missions” (“Duas Missões”) by Andreza Castro

English finalists:

“Tatau” by Lehua Parker

“Victor” by David Hurtado

Estonian finalist:

“The Journey” and “Lucifer’s Monologue” (“LÄHEME RÄNDAMA” and “LUTSIFERI  MONOLOOG”) by Aivar Lembit

Tagalog finalist:

“Shaken” by Jhasmin De Castro (read in English; read in Tagalog)

Japanese finalists:

“The Creation Workshop” (創造教室) by Mitsushige Takaki (高木光茂)

“The Sound of Water” (「 水音」) by Aiko Tokuzawa (徳沢愛子)

Please fill out the form below and vote for your top two favorite finalists. You must vote for two different finalists. If you vote twice for the same entry, your vote will not be counted.

En el marco del concurso «Dándole la vuelta al mundo con la literatura mormona» hemos publicado doce excelentes cuentos, ensayos y poemas. Sin embargo, solo uno de los finalistas podrá hacerse acreedor del Premio del Público, dotado con 100 USD.

La votación está abierta desde hoy hasta finalizado el día 4 de mayo del corriente. Posteriormente, el 6 de mayo, se dará a conocer al ganador.

Abajo se enumera a los doce finalistas, con enlaces a las obras tanto en su idioma original como en inglés.

Finalistas en español:

“Documentary Appendix 1” (“Anexo documental I”) by Gabriel González Núñez

“TIME a particle” (“TIEMPO una partícula”) by Citlalli H. Xochitiotzin

“The Wall of Time” (“La Muralla del Tiempo”) by Camila Andrea Fernández

Finalistas en portugués:

“A Sunday at Laginha” (“Um Domingo na Laginha”) by César Augusto Medina Fortes

“The Secret Friend” (“O Amigo Secreto”) by Amanda Araújo de Castro

“Two Missions” (“Duas Missões”) by Andreza Castro

Finalistas en inglés:

“Tatau” by Lehua Parker

“Victor” by David Hurtado

Finalistas en estonio:

“The Journey” and “Lucifer’s Monologue” (“LÄHEME RÄNDAMA” and “LUTSIFERI  MONOLOOG”) by Aivar Lembit

Finalistas en tagalo:

“Shaken” by Jhasmin De Castro (read in English; read in Tagalog)

Finalistas en japonés:

“The Creation Workshop” (創造教室) by Mitsushige Takaki (高木光茂)

“The Sound of Water” (「 水音」) by Aiko Tokuzawa (徳沢愛子)

Sírvase rellenar el formulario que aparece a continuación y votar por sus dos finalistas favoritos. Es forzoso votar por dos finalistas diferentes, ya que si se vota la misma obra dos veces, el voto será anulado.

世界各地のモルモン文学短編コンテストでは、１２人の短編小説、エッセイ、詩を発表しました。しかし一人だけが読者好評賞（賞金：100 USドル）をもらえます。

投票期間は現在から、２０１９年５月４日までです。読者好評賞は５月６日には発表されます。

下に１２人のファイナリストとその短編（原語と英語）のリンクです。

スペイン語のファイナリスト：

“Documentary Appendix 1” (“Anexo documental I”) by Gabriel González Núñez

“TIME a particle” (“TIEMPO una partícula”) by Citlalli H. Xochitiotzin

“The Wall of Time” (“La Muralla del Tiempo”) by Camila Andrea Fernández

ポルトガル語のファイナリスト

“A Sunday at Laginha” (“Um Domingo na Laginha”) by César Augusto Medina Fortes

“The Secret Friend” (“O Amigo Secreto”) by Amanda Araújo de Castro

“Two Missions” (“Duas Missões”) by Andreza Castro

英語のファイナリスト：

“Tatau” by Lehua Parker

“Victor” by David Hurtado

エストニア語のファイナリスト

“The Journey” and “Lucifer’s Monologue” (“LÄHEME RÄNDAMA” and “LUTSIFERI  MONOLOOG”) by Aivar Lembit

タガログ語のファイナリスト

“Shaken” by Jhasmin De Castro (read in English; read in Tagalog)

日本語のファイナリスト

“The Creation Workshop” (創造教室) by Mitsushige Takaki (高木光茂)

“The Sound of Water” (「 水音」) by Aiko Tokuzawa (徳沢愛子)

下の様式を記入して、気に入るトップ2のファイナリストを選んで下さい。二人のために投票する必要です。二回に同じファイナリストのために投票するなら、票は無効になります。

Durante o concurso Uma Volta ao Mundo com Contos Mórmones, publicamos doze excelentes histórias, ensaios, e poemas. Mas apenas um finalista pode receber o prêmio de $100 (USD). 

Pode votar de agora até o final de 4 de maio de 2019. O vencedor será anunciado em 6 de maio de 2019.

Os seguintes estão os doze finalistas com links para as histórias em seus idiomas originais e em inglês.

Finalistas em espanhol

“Documentary Appendix 1” (“Anexo documental I”) by Gabriel González Núñez

“TIME a particle” (“TIEMPO una partícula”) by Citlalli H. Xochitiotzin

“The Wall of Time” (“La Muralla del Tiempo”) by Camila Andrea Fernández

Finalistas em português

“A Sunday at Laginha” (“Um Domingo na Laginha”) by César Augusto Medina Fortes

“The Secret Friend” (“O Amigo Secreto”) by Amanda Araújo de Castro

“Two Missions” (“Duas Missões”) by Andreza Castro

Finalistas em inglês

“Tatau” by Lehua Parker

“Victor” by David Hurtado

Finalista em estoniano

“The Journey” and “Lucifer’s Monologue” (“LÄHEME RÄNDAMA” and “LUTSIFERI  MONOLOOG”) by Aivar Lembit

Finalista em Tagolog

“Shaken” by Jhasmin De Castro (read in English; read in Tagalog)

Finalistas em japonês

“The Creation Workshop” (創造教室) by Mitsushige Takaki (高木光茂)

“The Sound of Water” (「 水音」) by Aiko Tokuzawa (徳沢愛子)

Read the original Japanese version here. To discuss this and other finalists, visit Mormon Lit Lab.

“The Sound of Water”

written by Tokuzawa Aiko, translated by Andrew Hall

For the last twenty years I have been going to help clean at an old-age nursing home once a month. There are days when I am too busy to volunteer, but when I have a chance, I try to go, taking the opportunity learn and prepare for my own oncoming old age.

Today was one of the rare sunny winter days in the Hokuriku region, a nice day to do service. My husband and I worked together to clean a long corridor, me swinging a dusty mop, my husband sweeping. We are an elderly couple ourselves, and our turn to live in this nursing home may begin at any moment. So, while we are still healthy, it is a happiness to be able to clean up.

A sprightly-looking grandmother came towards us down the hallway. I called out to her, “You’re looking good today!” She came over and took both my hands in hers in a friendly greeting. But then she covered her face with both hands, and started sobbing. I was surprised–all I could think to do was to repeat my greeting and pat her on the shoulder. Then she planted an intense kiss on the back of my hand.

Oh, how lonely she was, how hungry for love. The pain of aging pierced my heart.

I remembered the haiku by Santōka, “Unescapable death, the sound of water.” In this world, there are many things we don’t understand until we age. Declining bodies, declining vigor, forgetfulness, and death itself are all moving towards us, and it breaks my heart. At that instant, I could hear with my spiritual ears the sound of water within her. It was like the drip-drip sound of water seeping out of a tap in a midnight-dark kitchen, enveloped in deep loneliness.

二十年ほど前から月一回老人ホームのお掃除に行っている。用事があって行けない日も あるが、そうでなければ自分の老後の学びの機会として、喜んで出かける。勿論ボランテ ィアである。

今日は北陸には珍しい冬晴れであった。奉仕活動するには良い日だった。夫と二人で出 かけた。長い廊下をモップがけする。埃がついたモップを払うと、夫がほうきで掃く。我々 老夫婦もいつ何時老人ホームにお世話になるかもしれない。元気のある今、お掃除できるしあわせ。 元気そうなおばあさんが廊下の向こうからやって来られた。「お元気ですねェ」、そう声をかけると、親しげに私の両手を握られた。次の瞬間、両手で顔を覆い、「くくっ」と泣か れたのである。私はびっくりした。

「お元気ですね」と声をかけ、肩に手をかけた、ただそれだけのことなのに。そうして 私の右手をとって、手の甲に強烈なチュッをしたのである。

ああ、そのおばあさんはこんなにも人恋しかったのだ。愛に飢えているのだ。老いるこ との切なさが私の胸にジンと迫った。

<みんな死んでしまうことの水音>山頭火の句を私は思い出した。世の中には、老いて みなければ、わからないことがいっぱいある。衰えていく肉体のこと、気力のこと、物忘 れのこと、近づく死のことなど、惻惻と迫ってくる。私はその時、霊の耳に彼女の心の水 音を聞いたのである。それは真夜中、暗い台所でぽとりぽとりと水道から漏れ落ちる水音 のような、深い孤独を纏っていた。

Read the original Japanese version here. To discuss this and other finalists, visit Mormon Lit Lab.

“The Creation Workshop”

written by Misushige Takaki, translated by Andrew Hall

Peta

Peta saw a flock of birds flying, and her eye focused on one that was particularly beautiful and strong.  Peta thought that the view this bird had of the world must be wonderful; the deep orange of the sky and the expansive earth beneath.

“Wow” she thought.

“Life is truly beautiful!”

1

“…and we will end class there for today.”

As Ms. Acacia spoke, the students left their daydreams and their surroundings reverted back to the white washed classroom they had been in when the class began.  Each of her students, from their own points of view, had experienced their own worlds during that class.  The teacher began to announce their homework.

“Please conjure a new creature.” she said.

They were to take one of the insects, fish or birds they had studied in class and think of a new, similar, but different creature.  Peta’s notebook was always full of drawings like this.

The problem is, she said to just come up with one new creature, one new life. But, of all of my animals, this one, that one, they are all so cuddly.  …and I can only pick one?  I can’t choose!  So…  Maybe, I’ll just put two of them together; a bird and a mole?  I like birds the most, so I’ll give it the head of a bird.  Maybe a hawk, or an eagle?  The rest of their body… the chest, abdomen, legs and feet will be from a mole.  Why a mole though?  Because they are cute and tough!  But, when I try putting them together, its head comes to too much of a point.  It looks strange.  Maybe if the bird’s beak was rounder and thicker?  The wings would be too weird though.  I’ll skip the wings?  Wait a second, then it can’t fly!  I guess I better go with an ordinary bird.

Peta took out her notebook to check again, when a small but distinct voice called out to her.

“I want to live!”

Huh?

Is there already an animal alive here?

Peta looked at the drawing of her flightless bird.  This thing is already alive.  But it’s a bird that can’t fly?  Maybe, it’s not even a bird at all?

“Please make me fly!” the drawing said.

I can hear its voice!  It sounds like a baby!  I’ll make it so it can swim through water.  Yeah, that’s like flying.  I’ll give it thick legs and feet like an otter.  No, even thicker and stronger than that.  I’ll give it webbed feet, too.  …and the head of a duck!  His beak has to be stouter though, wider than an actual duck’s.  This thing is weird, but I like it!  It’s stronger than it looks.  And it’s beautiful.

There, it’s done.

2

Peta’s classmates erupted in a roar of laughter when they saw her creation on the classroom board.  Michael, one of the class presidents, was wiping away tears of laughter.

“Is this a mole?  A duck?  Some kind of bird?  Tell me it’s not an otter, right?  It looks like all of them, but it isn’t any of them!” he jeered.

“Look, everyone else was able to do what they were assigned.” Michael said, pointing to the other students.  Peta saw that everyone else had indeed drawn animals that were easily distinguished; like white mice, or butterflies.  Some came up and proudly showed their drawings.  Others came up and simply gawked at Peta’s work.  A girl named Mel said, “That’s weird.”  There is no way a creature like that could exist.”

Most of the classmates were nodding along.  Then, Dan piped up.  “I can’t believe that something that ugly could live on this beautiful world” while pointing to the world globe that floated in the middle of the room.

The school where Peta and the other students sat was a place where worlds were created, the globe that Dan was pointing at was a new world that the students would help create.  This new world would be called Earth.  Once the students had grown up, they would be going there to live and experience life.  Besides people, there would be all kinds of other living things there as well.  Adults worked to create the new planet, as well as all the living things that would be on it.  But the children also got a chance to help.  Their homework was to create designs, some of which would be chosen and then created for the Earth.

“I worked so hard at making it!  It is sweet and beautiful and I tried to make it strong!” Peta said.

She lifted up her face.

“It’s NOT ugly and it’s NOT weird!  It’s beautiful and it will be able to live and thrive.  I could see and feel it as I designed her.  It’ll swim through water as though it were flying.”

But, everyone continued to mock her, so she turned away from them silently.

Ms. Acacia announced, “Class is done for the day, kids. I will show everyone’s hard work to the principal.”

She then turned to Peta.

“So what do you want to do?  If you want to change it, I can ask if the principal will give you another day.”

Peta silently handed her work to the teacher and she received it.

3

Their very last science class was about to begin.  After this next hour, they would be moving up to the next level school.  But before they could leave, their creations would have to be evaluated. Both Ms. Acacia and the principal, Mr. Erumi, were there. Mr. Erumi himself would be teaching their class this day. He stood in the center of a ring of seated students.

“I really enjoyed reviewing all of your science projects. However there was this one of them…”

He flattened out the rolled piece of paper in front of her chest so that everyone could see it.  Peta stopped breathing.  It was her picture.  Tiny clouds of laughter spread out through the classroom. She then thought she heard someone say, “Oh. we’re starting with the worst.”

“Eww.  It’s so weird.  Look at it!” another said.

Mr. Erumi looked at Peta and continued.

“So, I’ve decided that this should be the first one to be made.” he said and snapped his fingers.

Suddenly the white room turned aqua blue.  From the distance they could see a black dot, which began to come closer.  The point became a shadow, which sped towards and past the students.  Several startled children tried to jump out of the way of the speeding object.  The black shadow came back around and nabbed an unsuspecting fish.

“That was my fish… ” someone said.

Peta was so fascinated that she forgot to breathe.

“It’s alive!  It’s swimming.  No, it’s flying!” she said.

The image changed. Now the creature was at the water’s edge. It was not as fast, but it had a kind of elegance and the other students couldn’t help but start to like it.

Mr. Erumi was looking at Peta with a glimmer in his eyes.

“It doesn’t have a name yet. May I name it, Peta?” he asked.

Peta nodded in reply.

“Well, because it has bill like a duck (kamo no kuchibashi), lets abbreviate it and call it a kamo no hashi (platypus)!”

Peta thought that it deserved a cuter name, but Mr. Erumi looked very pleased with himself.

“So, it appears that we have come to a decision.” she said.

Ms. Acacia gave a wry smile as Ms. Erumi continued.

“Everyone else’s work was wonderful as well, but there was nothing surprising about them. The platypus surprised us. We adults have been creating new worlds for quite a while now. We’ve seen it all, we are hardly ever surprised anymore. But you students are different, your naiveté gives you potential. I thought you might do something surprising. Take this opportunity to learn from this experience, and use your fresh, new ideas. Even as you go on to higher tiers of education, please do not forget this occasion.”

The class came to an end.

Mr. Erumi spoke to Peta privately outside the classroom.

“Ms. Acacia told me about your many ideas for animals. We have an idea I think you’ll like. We’d like you to make more unique creatures for us. Don’t be afraid to surprise us. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.”

4

Peta did not go on to the higher school with her classmates. Instead, she was given a position in the divine studio, working with the adults. She worked with them for a very long time. But, one day that work also came to an end; their planet had been created, and now she would be born onto it as living person. Peta was excited to go onto this planet and touch her creations, especially the platypus. She was sad though that she wouldn’t be able to meet another one of her creations, the saber-toothed tiger.

Before she left, she had to leave it up to her principal to put the finishing touches on her platypus. While she didn’t much like the venomous needle the principal gave it, she was happy with how it would lay eggs despite being a mammal.

Then, all of a sudden, she started to feel sleepy.

“While I go to the new world, the me-I-know will be asleep. Good-bye. I’ll be back…and when I do, I will make even more amazing things.” she thought to herself as she drifted off into mortality.

Akimi

Akimi opened her eyes at the laboratory.  She realized that she had fallen asleep at her desk.  She felt as though she had just had a dream that she had had once before, a very long time ago.

“What was this dream about? Oh. I can’t remember it now.” she thought to herself.

She was an adult, but you couldn’t tell it from how she was scratching her head with the tip of her pen while slurping cold coffee. She had fallen asleep while she was trying to write up a paper about her recent trip to Australia. As a biologist, Akimi had decided to study quirky and mysterious animals. She was particularly interested in the platypus. The males, despite looking cute and cuddly, hid poisonous spurs on their back legs. This always seemed a little off to Akimi.

She had studied the platypus for a long time. But, while her research hadn’t turned up anything new, she couldn’t tell her boss that. So, instead, she was going to dig a little deeper and find something new soon.

She happily looked at her life-sized figurine of her beloved platypus. She then looked at her picture of a tardigrade (or “water bear”) on the wall. She was fascinated by the way they moved. She had a wide variety of figurines, including a ridiculously large saber-tooth tiger and a rare kiwi bird. She enshrined them all over her area in the lab. Some even encroached into her colleagues’ work spaces. She even had some figures of paranormal creatures, like a kappa and a skyfish. There was also a traditional painting of a Nue, a Japanese mythical creature with the face of a monkey, the legs of a tiger, the body of a Japanese raccoon dog and the front half of a snake.

In other words, there were some weirds things here.

“You haven’t changed a bit, have you Peta.” said a familiar voice.

Akimi, startled, turned in her chair.  There was no one there.