A Dutch Challenge

August is coming to an end, and we're still waiting on my gorgeous Dutch partner to finish evaluating the results of our Geeky challenge.

It's been an unexpectedly full month, as he started a new job position and needs to spend most days away from home... he also reconnected with his estranged parents and had his birthday on the 15th!

So while we wait, I wanted to start another unofficial challenge, and, as you may have guessed, I have the Netherlands on my mind, so it will be...

...a Dutch challenge!

"Oh, sweet, a story about windmills, tulips, and stroopwafel!"

Mhmm...

Not exactly.

Are you familiar with expressions such as "Dutch courage", "Dutch uncle", or "Double Dutch"? No? How about "Going Dutch" and "Dutch oven" then?

Something doesn't smell quite right...

(Sorry, couldn't help it).

Most likely due to historical rivalry and striking cultural differences, the English language contains a ton of expressions with the word "Dutch" in them, where this word has nothing to do with the Netherlands and everything to do with "something fake, strange, or contrary to normal expectations".

Can you see where I'm going?

...

[insert evil laugh sound effect]

...

For this challenge, I invite you to champion someone else's work by flipping it around: make the "Dutch" version of it.

Turn a poem about heartbreak into a motivational speech, a historical fiction into a sci-fi story, kill the thrills of a thriller, make horror out of children's dreams, do whatever it takes to make it feel like the fake, strange, uncomfortable version of the post you picked.

And here's the kicker: they'll be the ones taking the prize from your efforts.

RULES:

What posts you can champion: Pick something that you enjoyed and would be happy to tip. It can be sourced from any community and format. Use it as inspiration to write something uncannily opposing or weirdly different yet familiar.

What to write: A very short story. No specific theme, no specific form, no specific subject. BUT it has to be clear that it is somehow (up to you to decide how) the "Dutch" version of whatever post you are championing.

How long: Less is more in this challenge, so try to keep it below 300 words, but I won't be counting them, and won't notice if you sneak an extra one or 300 in. As long as the "Microfiction" tag is there, I won't question it.

Where to post it: Fiction with the tag Microfiction.

How many submissions: You can submit as many stories as you like; spread the love! But only one of your stories can sit on the podium.

Prizes: Depending on participation, there will be either a "5, 2, 1" podium or a "10, 5, 2" one. If participation is high and my finances allow it, I'll come up with more reasons to give a dollar here and there.

Technicalities:

• I'd like you to write something new and not previously published.

• All entries must include a link to the post they are championing, and a few lines on why it was chosen (can be as simple as "I really like this writer, especially this post of theirs").

• Include a reference to this challenge in your subtitle and in a link somewhere inside your post.

• Link your entry(ies) in one (or several) comment(s) to this post. Do it before the 29th of September at 23:59. That's your 23:59; I won't be closing the submission until the day after anyway.

• The challenge is, obviously, open to V+ and non-V+ alike.

• The post you are championing must either belong to a V+ member, or that person must have a link in their profile to a Ko-fi account or other service where I can safely tip them. You can nudge them into making one, but if they don't have one by the deadline of this challenge, your piece won't be eligible for victory.

• You can champion one of my stories if you wish. It won't make your chances of winning any higher, but it will definitely make me smile! If you win a place on the podium, I won't send money to myself (that would be too weird even for me), but I will treat myself to some special Dutch snack for the value of the tip and post the picture of it in the winners' announcement post.

Will you accept this challenge, or is working for someone else to get a prize too weird for you?

Here are the brave, adventurous writers who did!