Evidence points out that frogs have been in existence on earth for more than 200 million years. They are colorful amphibians facing a world that is changing due to climate, habitat destruction, pollution and diseases. They have been associated with fertility in cultures like Egypt, Mesopotamia and Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. In India, they symbolize transformation and reincarnation.
Frogs have also played fascinating roles in fairy tales. One can never forget the Grimms’ story about “The Frog prince.” The fairy tale, “Sleeping Beauty,” begins with a frog predicting that the queen will have a baby in a year’s time.
“Flash Fiction – Frogs,” a writing contest co-sponsored by Fremont Cultural Arts Council along with Half Price Books, Infinity Care LLC, Jack’s Brewing Company and Nothing Bundt Cakes was held on September 28 at Half Price Books, Fremont Hub.
Al Minard, board member, FCAC and organizer of the contest said, “The Fremont Cultural Arts Council started the flash fiction contest about 10 years ago to promote writing. Too many people think of art as a painting or photograph or a piece of sculpture and forget that words can be used to create an image also.
“We had about 250 ballots submitted with up to five stories listed on each ballot,” Minard said. “Every vote had the same weight, there were only six votes difference between the first-place winner and the fifth-place winner. We had 18 different writers submit 27 stories on frogs to the contest, and each writer could submit up to three stories.”
The first place was awarded to “Finn: the Frog Detective” by Elizabeth Kimmel. Second place (tie) went to “Dear Burglar” by Alina Nazareth and “Some Enchanted Evening” by Patricia Doyne. Fourth place went to “A Boy Named Frog” by Edward SooHoo, and fifth place went to “Escape to the Frogs” by Thomas Staaden. Elena Climent won the Past President’s award and a Nothing Bundt Cakes Trio for “The Frog.”
Minard concluded by saying, “This year’s contest was about frogs, because frogs sounded like a fun theme for writing. We had contestants from eight years old to writers in their 90s. Infinity Care LLC participated by helping to conduct the event and provided refreshments. We are planning on holding the next Flash Fiction Writing Contest in April during the ‘Fremont Creates’ event.”
Visit www.fremontculturalartscouncil.org to read all the winning stories.
