500 Words 2025/26: read a finalist's story from the 5-7 category

Remember, spelling, punctuation and grammar are not taken into account for a 500 Words story, therefore all the top 50 stories have been published how they were submitted.

The Bear and the Fox by Jack L.

Tailkey the Bear was the best salmon catcher in the Suku Woods. He was big and fluffy, and his favourite thing was eating. Every afternoon, he stacked his shiny, orange salmon on a wooden shelf inside his cave, he liked to be tidy.

Lately, something was wrong.

"Six… seven… eight…" Tailkey counted, his brow furrowing. "Wait! I caught ten! Where did the other two go?"

Every day, the same thing happened. One or two salmon would vanish! Tailkey stomped his foot. "I'll find out who took my salmon!"

Tailkey tiptoed outside, carrying his heavy hammer. He found the thickest logs and built a clever trap. He used leather strips to hold the logs together and hammered big, wooden bolts tight to make a sturdy cage. He placed the shiniest, fattest salmon right in the middle as bait.

The next morning, Tailkey peeked inside. The salmon was gone, but the log trap was shut tight! Inside, a small, trembling creature was huddled in the corner.

It was Flakey the Fox, and he was sobbing. Flakey was skinny, with a bushy, rust-colored tail and sad, watery eyes.

"Why did you take my snacks?" Tailkey asked, trying to sound scary.

Flakey sniffled. "I'm so sorry, Tailkey. I need to get ready for the winter! My baby foxes, they are so tiny, and they need food, and I can't catch salmon like you."

Tailkey looked at the small, scared fox. He thought about the cold winter and the snow and the tiny fox kits.

Tailkey lifted the log door. "You can have it," he said softly. "But you must promise to bring me some tasty food tomorrow to share."

Flakey's eyes went wide. "I promise, Tailkey!" He bolted out of the cave and vanished into the trees.

Tailkey's friend, Lina the Bear, padded into the cave.

"Tailkey, You let the thief go?" she grumbled. "Maybe the fox is lying."

"Lina is right!" shouted Macca the Raccoon, climbing down from a tree. "You should follow him home!"

Tailkey shook his big head. "A promise is a promise. Sometimes, you just need a little bit of faith."

The next day, Tailkey sat by his shelf. He waited and waited. Lunchtime came. No Flakey. The sun began to dip low, turning the sky orange and pink. Tailkey's stomach rumbled.

"Maybe I shouldn't have trusted him," he mumbled.

Just then, he heard a sound. Pitter-pat, pitter-pat!

Flakey the Fox burst into the cave! He was out of breath, and in his mouth, he held… a large, bright green piece of broccoli.

"Tailkey!" Flakey gasped. "I brought you the best thing from the Farmer's patch!"

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