Stories – Stone Soup

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Where young artists paint the world with words

The international magazine of stories, poems, and art by young writers and artists. Published continuously since 1973.

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The Mystery of the Mona Lisa

by Ashwin Cohen Age 8

Published December 1, 2023

“Welcome to France, Mr. Black,” said the customs officer in monotone. I hate flying but was glad to be in...
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Cousins (Part III)

by Emily Chang Age 14

Published August 14, 2023

This is the final installment of Emily Chang’s novella, which received honorable mention in our 2022 Book Contest. If you...
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The Samara’s Flight

by Miranda Yesser Age 12

Published November 19, 2022

When the wind began to blow, the whole world seemed to be angled in the exact same way, swaying in...
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Delay

by Phoebe Donovan Age 13

Published September 1, 2022

My shoes clack satisfyingly, importantly on the airport floor. The wheels of my suitcase spin not-quite silently on the ground...
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Squirrel

by Leo Roiphe Age 12

Published April 1, 2022

An unexpected change in perspective prompts a new understanding of the natural world It feels like everything is more difficult...
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The Barista

By Thomas Jones, Art by Mia Fang

Published November 11, 2018

The barista in the LAX airport got to his shop at 5:00 a.m. and opened at 6:00. He did...
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Paradise?

By Kaya Simcoe

Published December 22, 2017

As I look around me, surveying my surroundings, everything seems different. The sunlight that is spilling onto the ocean sparkles...
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Welcome Aboard

By Catherine Chung, Illustrated by the author

Published June 5, 2017

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]usts of wind whipped around the platform, a welcome appearance for the impatient passengers dripping with sweat on this sweltering...
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Where the Cotton Bolls Grow

By Sharon Wang, Illustrated by Vivienne Clark

Published November 30, 2016

My father was the first in his rural hometown to ever go to college. In China the colleges are scarce....
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A Scrap of Orange Cloth

By Maya Koretzky, Illustrated by Andrew Smith

Published November 27, 2016

Yesterday, a stranger landed on our beach. I was on the beach because Pa won't let me go out on...
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The Mystery of the Mona Lisa

Story Age 8 Published December 1, 2023 by Ashwin Cohen

“Welcome to France, Mr. Black,” said the customs officer in monotone. I hate flying but was glad to be in France. I was excited to see all the architecture and history.
Read More →

Cousins (Part III)

Story Age 14 Published August 14, 2023 by Emily Chang

This is the final installment of Emily Chang’s novella, which received honorable mention in our 2022 Book Contest. If you are a new subscriber, you can read the first two installments online in the ...
Read More →

The Samara’s Flight

Story Age 12 Published November 19, 2022 by Miranda Yesser

When the wind began to blow, the whole world seemed to be angled in the exact same way, swaying in the same gentle pattern. The clouds traveled across the gray sky, the branches of the trees bending a...
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Delay

Story Age 13 Published September 1, 2022 by Phoebe Donovan

My shoes clack satisfyingly, importantly on the airport floor. The wheels of my suitcase spin not-quite silently on the ground as I head toward the gate.
Read More →

Squirrel

Story Age 12 Published April 1, 2022 by Leo Roiphe

An unexpected change in perspective prompts a new understanding of the natural world It feels like everything is more difficult here. I spent an hour picking blackberries for jam and then took a sp...
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The Barista

Story Published November 11, 2018 By Thomas Jones, Art by Mia Fang

The barista in the LAX airport got to his shop at 5:00 a.m. and opened at 6:00. He did this so he could catch the early tide of people that usually came in at that hour.
Read More →

Paradise?

Story Published December 22, 2017 By Kaya Simcoe

As I look around me, surveying my surroundings, everything seems different. The sunlight that is spilling onto the ocean sparkles like a thousand gems, and I’m lead to wonder if there actually are a...
Read More →

Welcome Aboard

Story Published June 5, 2017 By Catherine Chung, Illustrated by the author

Gusts of wind whipped around the platform, a welcome appearance for the impatient passengers dripping with sweat on this sweltering Beijing summer afternoon.
Read More →

Where the Cotton Bolls Grow

Story Published November 30, 2016 By Sharon Wang, Illustrated by Vivienne Clark

My father was the first in his rural hometown to ever go to college. In China the colleges are scarce. College entrance exams were created to wipe out the majority of the people who wanted to advance ...
Read More →

A Scrap of Orange Cloth

Story Published November 27, 2016 By Maya Koretzky, Illustrated by Andrew Smith

Yesterday, a stranger landed on our beach. I was on the beach because Pa won't let me go out on the boats fishing. I saw the sail first, then the man balanced on the prow of a wooden boat, skinny knee...
Read More →