Hemingway inspires Limerick city writing contest

PUPILS in Limerick can taken their lead from Ernest Hemingway, who coined perhaps the most famous - and best - short story in just six words.

He wrote “For sale: baby shoes, never worn”, leaving the reader to ponder what the true story behind this advertisement was.

Newspaper competitions have also followed suit, asking readers to coin their own best six-word story, and now students from post-primary schools across Limerick city and county have been busy writing six-word stories for a Junor Cert School Programme literacy competition.

It was organised by Jane Bingham-Shee, JCSP librarian at St Nessan’s Community College to encourage students to enjoy creative writing. There were over 400 entries to the competition and here are the winning stories: ‘Big ship. Big iceberg. Big problem!’ - Rachel Murphy, St Nessan’s Community College; ‘She wanted, but never was wanted’ - Niamh Woodross, Salesians Secondary school; ‘Doorbell ringing. People singing. Head’s stinging!’- Eoin Murphy, Colaiste Ide agus Iosef; ‘The bullies made jokes. Life miserable’ - Chelsea Quinn, Colaiste Iosaef; ‘Two wives. One funeral. No tears’ - Nardeen Taraabulsi, Presentation Secondary School; ‘No fire. No smoke. No rescue’ - Darnell Skeine, St Enda’s Community School.