Friendly ghosts recently haunted the pillars of Half Price Books in the Fremont Hub. Visitors wove around the aisles as they read the posted stories. Local writers enthusiastically came up with entries for “Flash Fiction – The Friendly Ghost,” a writing contest co-sponsored by Fremont Cultural Arts Council (FCAC) along with Fremont Area Writers, Half Price Books, Infinity Care LLC, Jack’s Brewing Company and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Al Minard, board member, FCAC, and organizer of the contest said, “The event was very successful and the participants were enthusiastic and positive. We had 69 stories of 300 words or less and a total of 639 votes cast by the people who entered Half Price and voted for their favorite stories. There was only a difference of 22 votes from the first place to the last place and all the entries received at least one vote.”
First place was awarded to “My Friend, the Ghost” by Aaradhana Vedam. Second place went to “Ghost Beans” by Stephanie Uchida. Third place (tie) went to “A Fall Reminder” by Sumasruti and “A New Ghost” by Thomas Staaden. Fifth went to “The Inspirational Ghost” by Samuel Rodriguez. The President Emeriti Award choice, “The Friendly Ghost Rapsac” by David M Seymon won a Nothing Bundt Cake Trio.
Al Minard concluded, “Our congratulations to all of the winners and also to everyone who entered a story. We also thank all the visitors who came in and supported the event by voting for their favorite stories. We plan on holding another Flash Fiction Contest in April 2026 during the Fremont Creates month. Keep your eyes open for the details.”
Visit fremontculturalartscouncil.org or tricityvoice.com to read the winners. Below is the first place story.
My Friend, the Ghost
By Aaradhana Vedam
My friend is a ghost.
My friend is see-through.
My friend is someone who would love to meet you.
My friend is someone from mid ‘45.
My friend is someone who never wanted to die.
He likes to dance.
He likes to sing.
But he’s not truly a living thing.
But we set our boundaries aside,
Even if he can’t breathe, he’s still alive.
My friend is scared.
My friend is sad.
Because all of the town thinks that he’s really bad.
They come with their gadgets to take him out.
But I try to help, so hear me shout.
Don’t hurt this ghost!
This friendly ghost!
He’s sweet and kind and no harm to most!
He may not eat, he may not cry,
But he’s still a human, dead or alive.
Ghost Beans
By Stephanie Uchida
When kids are asleep and toys put away
A mysterious kitten comes out to play
With golden eyes and little pink nose
And snow-white fur right down to his toes.
He’ll only appear in the moonlight’s pale gleaming
Kids say he’s real; grownups say, “You were dreaming.”
BUT
When everybody’s late, who stole your socks?
Or dumped out the contents of the cereal box?
Who covered the rug with crumbs from your toast?
Not me!
It could only be
Cat’s-Purr, the friendly ghost!
“Don’t be facetious,” the parent insist,
But kids will still staunchly maintain he exists.
They’re never so naughty
They’re good—so they boast.
So see
It’s not me
It’s Cat’s-Purr, the friendly ghost!
And late on some nights the children will posit
That something unspeakable lurks in their closet.
“That’s only the laundry,” the parents deny.
Then they give in and say with a sigh,
“You know who will guard you with nary a quibble
“And gobble down monsters like they’re just some kibble?
“Who is a friend when you need it most?
“You see,
“Obviously,
“Your Cat’s-Purr, the friendly ghost!”
A Fall Reminder
By Sumasruti
Friendly as they come, am I.
Day or night, I glide right by.
Over here. Over there.
Everywhere you go. I stare.
Because I’m a ghost too.
Humans beware.
A New Ghost
By Thomas Staaden
Sandra couldn’t understand why her mother could not see her. She was right in front of her, trying to get her attention. But she was just there, sobbing. There was her picture in the corner, and some sort of box in the corner. Her dad also looked sad. She saw her brother and smiled.
“C’mom Steve, let’s play!” She said,
Steve just looked sad, and she couldn’t put her finger on why
“ I can still hear her telling me to play.” Steve sobbed
“ What do you mean, of course you can hear me, let’s play.”
“They can’t hear you.” A voice stated,
Sandra turned around to see a translucent boy, no more than eight. “ No one here can hear you, you’ve become a ghost.”
“ A What?” Sandra asked. She approached, and then realized she had just passed through a solid oak table.
“Do you remember the truck?” the boy asked
Sandra thought back, and remembered running into the street. There was a scream, and she turned around on time to see a large truck. And then everything went black… “You are not the first.” The boy stated. “I was hit by a falling lamppost.”
“There are more like us. Outside the rest of us are playing tag. Wanna join…” “So this is…” Sandra asked
“Yes, it is your funeral.”
Sandra felt the tears well up, but had nowhere for them to go.
“Can I watch it first?” Sandra asked.
“Well, it’s your funeral…” The boy started. “ Don’t be too sad. You’ll see your family again. And there are plenty of new friends to make here as well. There’s Sam, Ingrid, and Martha, and then me.”
“And what’s your name?” Sandra asked.
“I’m Tim” The boy stated.
The Inspirational Ghost
By Samuel Rodriguez
I lost my father three years ago when I was ten. I still hear him whisper in my ear when I write. He was always supportive of my dream of being a writer, despite my mother’s opposition.
Engineering was Dad’s career and passion. He wanted me to experience doing what I loved. Mom emphasized that writing for a living would leave me poor, lonely, and miserable.
I entered my school’s essay contest. The topic was “Dreams.” I submitted a piece about my visions of becoming an author. As I wrote it, I could hear Dad whispering, “Believe in yourself.”
I won the contest, which meant I could read the essay in front of the whole school. I chose to do so.
The reading arrived. I began to doubt myself. Then I noticed Dad’s voice. “It’s written. Now just read.”
It was my turn. He assured me, “You got this.”
Despite my sudden nausea, I spoke, and finished with the sentence, “When we live with passion, our lives can become a dream.” Everyone in the auditorium clapped. Surprisingly, Mom attended. As I returned to my seat, she ran up and hugged me.
She stated, “You will be an amazing writer.”
Then Dad told me, “Great job!”
I found Mom’s sudden change of heart puzzling. As I read on the couch that night, she approached me and explained, “I see your father in you now. His passion for life made him great.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Maybe I was wrong. I had hopes of you becoming an engineer. Now, what’s this you’re reading?”
“It’s a young adult novel. There’s an interesting character.”
“I’ll have to borrow that book sometime.”
The friendly ghost RAPSAC
David M Seymon
I am ”RAPSAC” and I am a friendly ghost.
If you need a pal, I will give you a toast.
Any type of danger, I will continually be there.
Should you need protection I will always care.
I do not fight my foe with strength or might,
my gentle BOO will give them a fright.
It is all in the enunciation that does scare.
I may be small but you know I care.
may the spirits be with us on this ‘HELLOWEEN’.
make sure you get lots of candy and do make a scene.
your dentists will smile as you enter their door,
this day in October is what they live for.
