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.

How the Sloth became slow by Cosima H.

Up high in a baobab tree, far before elephants had trunks, and birds had feathers, swung a superfast sloth, whose name was Sol. He was a prankster, a crowd-pleaser, and, like all sloths before him, speedy. He was well known among the gods, even Zeus had heard of him.

Sol had big ambitions; to become immortal. Every epoch, a race was set by the gods and the winner would secure a place among them. One of those races was today. Grabbing a beetle for the road, Sol shot off, as fast as an arrow. He had a small detour to make on his way to the arena.

Sol arrived at the arena an hour later, clutching his ticket to glory. He couldn't bear to risk losing, so with Zeus preoccupied at the arena, Sol had snuck past the guards, and pilfered a lighting bolt from the deity's chambers, where it had laid, nestled among his prized possessions on a plush velvet cushion."Winner, winner beetle dinner," Sol chuckled. He swaggered up to the starting bar, with a confidence that, unfortunately for him, caught Athena's watchful eye."That big ego of his is going to cause him trouble soon, I can feel it," she murmured to Poseidon.

On the sand of the arena, the race was about to begin. Sol was next to a proud peregrine falcon and a ferocious cheetah. He didn't stop for small talk. The countdown began."10!" Hermes cheered. Sol panicked. Would this work?"9!" He hoped it did."8!" Poseidon declared, blue eyes rippling with anticipation. So gulped and carefully positioned the lightning bolt. So far so good."7!" Even though he would have broken the rules, the gods wouldn't be able to argue if he won, right? Sol assured himself."6!" He took a deep breath."5!" Athena cried. He steadied his gaze with effort."4" Sol felt sick."3" Why was he doing this again?"2!" No turning back now."1!" Oh dear.

The crowd cheered.Then Sol was speeding across the sand, powered by the bright lightning bolt, the finish line coming closer and closer. He could feel Zeus's furious stare, creating a hot flush on the back of his neck. He passed the finish line, to no applause. The lighting bolt's power fizzled out, and the noise echoed in the astounded silence. Sol was left cowering as Zeus towered over him. Sol looked up hopefully. "You steal my lightning bolt, use it to cheat in the immortality race, and expect us to turn you into a god?" Zeus thundered. "From now on, every sloth will be cursed to be the slowest creature on earth, because of your greed."

Zeus clicked his fingers. Sol felt every muscle in his body slow. He tried to run away in shame, but his limbs seemed to work in slow motion. He swallowed and had never been so aware of every muscle in his throat. Sol slumped in defeat as he was outstripped by a passing snail.

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