New Living Translation of Proverbs 21:21
"Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor."
Fictional Narrative Writing Prompt: Kindness in Action
Title: The Ripple of Kindness
Characters:
- Jasmine: A compassionate community leader with a passion for helping others.
- Lisa: Jasmine’s best friend, an artist who believes in the power of creativity to uplift moods.
- Bruce: A grumpy but wise elder who has seen much in his life and often serves as a mentor figure.
- Charlie: A young, ambitious entrepreneur who struggles to balance his aspirations with empathy for others.
- Shawn: A thoughtful person who often volunteers at local shelters, always looking for a way to spread joy.
Prompt Directions:
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Theme Introduction: Begin your narrative by introducing the central theme of kindness as inspired by Proverbs 21:21. Highlight how the quest for righteousness and love can lead to transformative experiences.
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Setting the Scene: Choose a community event where all characters are present — perhaps a festival meant to showcase local talents and foster connections. Portray the diverse atmosphere filled with color, sound, and opportunities for interaction among the characters.
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Character Development:
- Jasmine is organizing the event, motivated by her belief in community unity. Show her thoughtful planning and the challenges she faces in coordinating others’ efforts.
- Lisa decides to create an art installation that encourages people to share kind words. Illustrate her creative process and how she inspires others to contribute.
- Bruce, initially skeptical of the event, provides sage advice and shares a moving story from his past that reflects the importance of kindness.
- Charlie contemplates whether to use his business platform for good or solely for profit. Create a moment of internal conflict that leads to a decision.
- Shawn embodies kindness throughout, actively engaging with volunteers and helping people feel included.
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Conflict and Resolution: Develop a central conflict — perhaps an unexpected hurdle at the event, such as a storm threatening to cancel festivities or a miscommunication that puts tensions among the characters on display. Each character’s response should reflect their personal journey toward kindness and the lesson from Proverbs 21:21.
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Climactic Moment: Showcase a pivotal scene where all characters come together to overcome the conflict, demonstrating the power of kindness and cooperation. Let each character’s individual contributions shine through as they embody the message of the proverb.
- Ending Reflections: Conclude with a scene that reflects on the outcomes of kindness, not only for the community but for each character. What have they learned about themselves, and how have their relationships deepened? Highlight the importance of pursuing righteousness and love as a path to honor and fulfillment.
As you write, remember to allow each character’s unique traits to complement their involvement in the story. Tailor their interactions and growth in alignment with the underlying message of kindness reflected in Proverbs 21:21. Happy writing!
