3 . Our much-loved 100-Word-Story Competition is back!

Our 100-word-story competition is your chance to show the world your storytelling talents!

Your stories should be original, unpublished and exactly 100 words — not a single word shorter or longer! Entries are now open and the submission deadline is January 5, 2024. Multiple entries are allowed per person. We are unfortunately only able to consider UK-based entries.

Please ensure that submissions are original, not previously published and exactly 100 words long (not including title). Don’t forget to include your full name, address, email and phone number when filling in the form. We may use entries in all print and electronic media.

There are three categories — one for adults and two categories for schools: one for children aged 12-18 and one for children under 12.

Please submit your stories by 5pm on January 5, 2024 either online or by post addressed to:

Reader’s Digest

100 Word Story Competition

Warners Group Publications

West Street

Bourne

PE109PH

The editorial team will pick a short list of entries, and the three best stories in each category will be posted online at readersdigest. co. uk on February1, 2024. You can vote for your favourite, and the one with the most votes will win the top prize and receive ￡1,000. Voting will close on February 29, 2024 and the winning entries will be posted online on April 16, and published in our May 2024 issue.

PS: Reader’s Digest is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism.

5 . A proud granddaughter named Chelsea Dyck shared how her grandparents decided to plan something sweet for their 75 th wedding anniversary (周年纪念日), recognizing it may be their last chance to celebrate together. She claims her grandparents’ love is so _______ that even the most _______ Hollywood stories would be overshadowed(使人黯淡失色).

Chelsea’s grandparents _______ when her grandmother was 14 and her grandfather Jerry was 15. The wife _______ they had dinner before playing a game of tag (捉人游戏) outside that day. While playing, she took the handkerchief (手帕), he tried to get it back, and they _______ back and forth. To this day, that handkerchief still remains in the wife’s _______. “I’ve kept it to this day, 80 years later!” she _______ said.

To celebrate their 75th anniversary, they decided to _______ their wedding day. Chelsea shared pictures of her grandmother wearing her beautiful dress from years ago. She walked toward her husband of 75 years, who had the _______ smile on his face wearing a black suit.

Although Jerry had been getting __________, he still made sure to dress up for the __________. It was a special for him and his wife. __________, it was extra special for their entire __________, as they didn’t think Jerry would __________ it to this day. Chelsea shared: “The love and __________ in the room was obvious. We all felt excited as my grandfather moved into a hospice (临终关怀医院) only a short time before their big celebration.”

Family meals are important in living with a family. A recent survey    1    (show) that most children and their family share a meal at least four times a week.    2    my point of view, this is a positive sign, because dining together is able to benefit family members.

Firstly,     3    (have) a meal together can help a family stick together, which helps strengthen each family member’s sense of belonging and reduce family    4    (tension). Family members can relax together during this time, and enjoy each other’s company. Routine communication also helps family members show each other’s appreciation which can not only    5    (stress) on Thanksgiving Day.

Secondly, family meals also play     6    important part in a child’s growth. For example, parents are able to observe their children’s psychology (心理)    7    (base) on their deeds and expressions. And studies show that children eating with their families are more likely     8    (get) high grades in the end than those who do not eat family meals. And such kids are    9     (definite) to be more social and make more friends. Finally, Through family meals, parents can also ensure that their children are eating different foods to have strong bodies. It’s because children    10     eat together with their families can be taught to be not particular about meals.

8 . Immersive cultural tourism has recently gained immense popularity, riding on the wave of consumer demand for interactive and engaging experiences.

“Immersive” has become a buzzword in recent years. It involves deep absorption in an environment or activity. It takes two primary forms: one constructs real or virtual worlds, transporting individuals into new worlds; while the other employs online platforms like livestreaming, videos, and augmented reality to immerse people in specific events.

Immersive cultural tourism is reshaping travel by offering deeper, more meaningful experiences that go beyond the conventional aspects of “travel, shopping, and entertainment”. It encourages in-depth exploration and interactive leisure, as demonstrated by various attractions.

In Xi’an, the Tang Dynasty Everbright City transports visitors to the magnificence of the Tang Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty Treasure Box interactive game has gained popularity. In Yangzhou, the China Grand Canal Museum digitally showcases the Grand Canal’s history and culture, offering a comprehensive exploration experience. In Dunhuang, the Ancient Sound of Dunhuang allows visitors to explore mural paintings in an immersive manner.

These attractions breathe new life into traditional culture and present it in a fresh light. From a content perspective, immersive cultural tourism covers various cultural themes, including historical, revolutionary, and ecological aspects. These experiences immerse tourists in the past, present, and even the world of imagination. From a technological perspective, it makes use of innovations like 5G, high-quality screens, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, enabling visitors to engage in a storyline.

Immersive cultural tourism is transforming the way people travel by offering in-depth exploration, interactive experiences and meaningful learning opportunities. It promotes tourism from the shallow focus on sightseeing to a complete engagement with culture and history. Additionally, it plays an irreplaceable role in promoting cultural heritage, sharing China’s stories, enhancing cultural confidence, and fostering cultural development, making it a vital part of the travel industry.