WHY do bullies behave the way they do and could a troubled child be coaxed into conforming with a little help from a friend? And, perhaps no-one would know better than a teacher witnessing the trials and tribulations in classrooms and playgrounds.

A gripping tale focusing on those very questions delighted judges of the popular GDNLife short story monthly competition for adult wordsmiths and led to Beena Stephan picking up the BD25 October prize for adults.

“This is a classic transformation story,” said author and judge Rohini Sunderam, from Bahrain Writers Circle. “The writer has related it in a direct and engaging manner with clear, simple sentences.”

Ms Stephan, a teacher at Bahrain Indian School, admitted her experiences had inspired her to write From Bully to Beloved that has already attracted more than 1,800 viewers. 

“I’m thrilled to have won and now considering taking up writing seriously,” said the 63-year-old Indian expatriate who lives in Saar

“I appreciate the initiative taken up by GDN to promote and encourage new writers,” added the widowed mother-of-four, who returned to the country in 2017 when one of her daughters took up a job here. “Bahrain has always been close to my heart as I spent my childhood here.”

Our judges were also bitten by an epic tale penned by Indian teenager Rahael Vivek Joseph called Of Horned Wolves and Nine-Tailed Foxes that has attracted 1,600 views.  

The 15-year-old from Kerala picks up a prize pair of CINECO tickets for winning the monthly U18 contest.

Judge Chris Fenton, head teacher of the British Primary Department at Al Noor International School, said: “Some very dramatic language helps this fantasy story of a wolf pack reach its dramatic conclusion. It reminded me of Jack London’s White Fang! Well done, Rahael!”

“I am beyond ecstatic to find that I’ve won the short story contest!” said the home-school student from Saar.

“Writing has been my greatest passion since I was nine and I’m thrilled to know that my work all these years has paid off – enough for me to win a competition.

“I’ve been home-schooled for six years and am in the middle of my seventh as a tenth grader.”

Rahael moved to Bahrain in 2017 with her family from the UAE after her lawyer dad, Vivek, secured a job transfer. She also lives in Saar with her mum Nisha and three younger siblings, 12-year-old twins Mikael and Gabriel and six-year-old Esther.

You could be a winner too! Join the many keen writers of all ages grabbing the chance to publish their work on Bahrain’s popular social media platform for a monthly and annual prize. As a result of the contest’s success there is now a special exclusive Short Story section on www.gdnlife.com for visitors to enjoy.

In March next year, our panel of judges will decide on who should walk away with the annual GDNLife Short Story of the Year prize plaques in both categories.

The winner of the GDNLife People’s Choice Award – the short story that has received the most views and likes – will also be announced.

November entries would be welcomed, so get writing up to 800 words today! Register, choose an image, create a title, paste and copy your words in text – and submit to share your work on www.gdnlife.com – clearly stating Adult or U18 entry.