Make a long story short for your chance to be published in Reader’s Digest and win $25,000. Here are a few of our favorite entries so far in our “Your Life: The Reader’s Digest Version” contest. After reading these, head over to Facebook and enter your own story about a special moment or lesson that shaped your life.
“Love Letters”
By Chelsee Pengal
In fifth grade, Brett liked me. I knew because he teased me relentlessly. One day, he stole the hat from my head and used it in a game of catch with his friends. Later, I received a note that said: Sorry I took your hat. I like you. Do you like me? —Brett. My ten-year-old brain couldn’t process the strange feelings I had, so I did what any girl who might like a boy would do when faced with this dilemma. I wrote back: No. After Brett read the note, he immediately ran off and started joking with his friends as if nothing had happened, but the teasing stopped. Permanently. Almost 20 years later, I’m sure his heart has mended, but mine never has. It’s a little-known fact I learned that day in fifth grade: when you break someone’s heart, a part of yours goes missing, too.
“These Boots Were Made for Walking”
By Deborah McEwin
The local department store had a shiny pair of white boots on display in the window. Everyday on my way home from school, I would admire these boots. The cost of the boots was not in our budget. I wanted them so badly but knew we could not afford them. One day after school, the boots were gone when I went by the store. It made me so sad. I moped and felt sorry for myself all the way home. Can you imagine my surprise when I got home and found the shiny, new, white boots sitting on the table? Nancy Sinatra had a popular song at that time and I would walk everywhere (in my new boots) singing, “these boots are made for walking and that is what I’ll do” I believe I had to be the happiest 10 year old on the planet!