Mama's Boy - By Ava Rui Qing See

Written By: Ava Rui Qing See

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the heart of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Ava Rui Qing See presents her evocative short story, "Mama's Boy." This powerful narrative is a testament to the universal themes of familial bonds, survival, and the complexities of love and fear within a family. Ava's storytelling paints a vivid picture of a world where the struggle for acceptance and the fight for survival go hand in hand. As a participant in this prestigious competition, Ava offers readers a glimpse into a world both familiar and fantastical, inviting them to explore deep emotional landscapes.

About the Work

"Mama's Boy" delves into the intricate dynamics of family life, focusing on a young bird named Ash and his strained relationship with his domineering father. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, the story explores themes of love, fear, and the longing for acceptance. Ava Rui Qing See crafts a narrative filled with tension and heartache, effectively using the allegory of a bird family to reflect broader human experiences. The mood is intense and evocative, capturing the reader's attention with its raw portrayal of struggle and resilience.

Mama's Boy

Original Submission by Ava Rui Qing See

MAMA’S BOY

“Mama’s boy.” They sneered at the little hazy brown bird. He was her favorite child, and no one in the family entertained that fact happily. Whenever he entered the den, the glares from his siblings could be felt but his father’s gaze burned him like a scorching blaze.

“Ash! You’re back!” His mother rushed out in a whirl, hugging him tightly. He welcomed her embrace, leaning into her warm feathers. Her wings were too short to wrap around him now, but he could feel the jagged edges of her cut flight feathers.

“Hello Mother.” Ash breathed, his heart feeling lighter at his mother’s happiness. He still felt the hatred from his father, like claws digging into his back. “The night sky is incredibly breathtaking today, you should take a look.”

“I will.” She promised, smiling softly. Ash couldn’t help but smile back at her, sharing her joy. His father walked over, talons scraping on the floor. He stalked over to his mate and gripped onto her wing, and pried her off. “Ow! Heavens, what was that for?” She hissed in pain, cradling her wing. A little bit of blood trickled out, and Ash’s father simply shook the feathers he ripped off onto the floor.

“You can clean that up.” He snapped viciously. “Otherwise you know what will happen.” He lifted a wing and slashed it downwards towards her, producing a small lash of flame. She jumped back in fear and nodded. Ash hated how his mother was treated by his father, but he couldn’t do anything about it but comfort his mother. “We have some prey for the boys, Vol, you can have first pick.”

Vol was the oldest, his fire magic was said to be the most refined out of all of the siblings. He flew over gracefully, taking his pick of the largest rabbit available. Groans of jealousy rose out of the other siblings, but Vol just raised his head higher. “Now, it's free game. First come first serve.” His father announced. Siblings shot out of their nests, scrambling for the food. Some of them hadn’t had a proper meal in a while due to the system their father had implemented, and a few got injured during this ‘game’.

Ash watched quietly, holding his mother. “Are you okay?” He asked, concerned. This wasn’t rare, it happened quite frequently in their den. His mother never complained about it.

“I’ll be fine.” She replied quickly. “What about your food? Aren’t you hungry? You’re growing, you need to eat.”

“No. I caught something outside.” Ash lied. He had tried to hunt down a mouse, but failed due to his lack of skill. “Have you had anything yet?” His mother remained silent, her claws shuffling uncomfortably.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m not hungry.” She said vaguely, looking away. “How about we go see the beautiful night sky you were referring to?”

“Of course Mother.” Ash complied, leading his mother towards the entrance of the den. They stood together at the edge of the den that was nestled within a steep cliff. Below them, the ocean roared and crashed at the cliff, spraying white foam everywhere. The night sky was filled with clouds but when combined with the light from the moon it lit up the sky in wonder. They stood there together in silence for a while, enjoying the light calling of the wind.

“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” His mother whispered, breaking the silence. “I love the skies so much.” She gestured at the scattered clouds. Ash had to agree with his mother. There was nothing more lovely than the gift of the skies.

“I know.” Ash agreed. “One day, I’ll take you up there and you can see the skies from above.” She just laughed sorrowfully.

“Don’t be silly Ash. It’s still beautiful from here.” She turned at him and smiled, her gentle eyes twinkling from the moonlight. “Come on. Let’s go back to the den.” They turned around, walking back into the den. Most of the siblings had retired into their nests for the night, some with varying degrees of injuries but nothing too major.

Their father watched silently as Ash and his mother entered. “Come here Anemone.” Cyrus snarled, his eyes filled with anger. Ash felt the light trembling from his mother as she walked towards her mate.

“Yes?” She asked, staring nervously, her wings were pressed against her body and her tail coiled tightly. Ash’s father watched, obviously enjoying her panic. He stood up and stretched, reaching his full height, turning to Anemone.

“Where did you go? I needed someone to dispose of my trash.” He hissed threateningly. His tail slashed the air, stirring up little gusts of flame. Anemone’s fear became apparent to all, her becoming shaking was more obvious. Ash cringed as he heard some laughter from his siblings.

“I’m sorry Cyrus. I’ll take it out now.” She rapidly hobbled over, picking up the skeleton and hurrying out, desperate to leave. Ash watched her figure as it faded away. His father snorted.

“Such an incompetent useless bird.” He growled, his gaze flashed over to Ash, studying him. “You. Remember your place in this family. You’re just another child. You must fight for your place, not be nice. Nobody likes nice boys.” Ash nodded, afraid as well.

“I know Cyrus.” Ash agreed. “I will be a better son.” He turned to get away but a claw latched onto his shoulder, almost painfully but drawing no blood.

“You better be.”

Ash lived under that fear for a while. He’d desperately try to learn how to fight, how to hunt, how to use his fire magic. Whatever would remove himself from his father’s radar of who to harm. On the other wing, his mother’s condition seemed to deteriorate slowly, as she got sick. She barely ate, her movements weak and slow. Her mate’s tolerance against this did not benefit her, as he struck her more.

“Mother?” He asked, sneaking once into her separate den which was connected by a tunnel. “Are you okay?” Her skinny body lay curled up in the fetal position on stinky moss, shrouded completely by darkness. She had barely moved nor made appearances for many sunrises and sunsets, and it bothered him a lot.

“Ash?” Anemone murmured, her voice barely audible.

“Yes Mother. I’m here.” Ash replied, lowering himself to see her. She had many more cuts and scratches, with slightly yellow pus and fluid leaking out of them. “Should I get marigold and wild garlic for your wounds?”

“It’s okay Ash.” She whispered in pain. “I’m alright.” She coughed, huddled up even more tightly. Her body seemed so fragile, a shell of the mother he knew.

“I’m going to get something for your wounds and bring back some prey.” He insisted. “I’ll be back soon.” He frantically left the den, flying off. He’d seen some marigold patches and wild garlic sprouts a few sunrises ago and it’d be easy to hunt down a mouse or two.

The journey was filled with stress, as he retrieved the needed herbs and messily took down a rabbit, and the wing beats he let out matched his heart beat, racing as the forests blended into the sea and the den opening upon the side of the cliff became apparent. The skies had become orange and blues, the clouds dabbling in areas of the sunset as the sun kissed the sea. If not for the situation he was in, Ash would have sat down and watched the beauty, truly a gift from the gods who had brought such good and such bad into this world. He skidded into the cave, stumbling in.

“Oh isn’t it Mama’s boy?” Vol sneered, the cackles of Ash’s other siblings joining in as they laughed like hyenas.

“Shut up Vol. Nobody wants to hear it.” Ash growled, voice muffled by the rabbit and herbs in his mouth, tail lashing in the air. He tried to push past Vol and the others but Vol gripped his wing and pulled him down. Ash slipped and Vol smashed him onto the floor, the prey and herbs thrown out upon impact.

“You dare speak to me that way?” Vol challenged, one of his talons wrapping around Ash’s head and squeezing it, his claws digging in sharply.

“Yes- get off me!” Ash hissed, struggling under Vol. Ash was the youngest out of all of them, hence the weakest. Other siblings giggled at his attempt, and Ash suddenly saw a figure emerging out of the tunnel. Cyrus strided out, dragging Anemone by the scruff. Her lithe frame was lifeless but when her eyes lifted to meet Ash’s, the sapphire irises were filled with so many emotions, too much pain, too much hurt, overwhelmed and unbearable.

“Mother-” Ash tried to call, but was muffled as another sibling pinned down his beak. They continued snickering at him, showing no concern for the state of their mother. Cyrus dropped Anemone onto the floor before yanking her up with his claws instead. “This is what happens when somebody tries to sneak into Anemone’s den without my permission.” Cyrus said calmly, shaking her body like a little toy, as if this situation unbothered him. He strolled towards the edge of the cliff, smirking. “Someone, gets hurt. Vol, turn Ash around so he can see the entrance of the den.” Vol complied instantly, dragging Ash around. The little cracks and rocks dug into Ash’s feathers, but he did not dare to make a sound to protest about the pain.

“Please Cyrus, I had good intentions-” Ash begged futilely. “Please Cyrus.”

“Oh no no, we can’t have begging and pathetic pleading.” Cyrus snapped, shaking his head. “You’re already her favorite, we all know that. Oh little Ash, the perfect child, spending time with his Mama, stealing her away from everyone else and becoming the little star of her life.” He mocked. He glared loathingly at Ash, face twisted in hate.

“I didn’t mean to make it like that-”

“Nobody wants to hear it Ash.” Cyrus dismissed calmly, not wanting Ash’s explanation.“So as you can see,” Cyrus emphasized. “We have Ash’s little precious mother, Anemone. He snuck into her den and probably tried to bring her herbs and prey but that’s not allowed, right? Someone needs to pay, and I think by punishing Anemone, it will be incredibly effective.” Ash tried to shake his head, to say a word. But he couldn’t. He’d never felt so weak.

“Why Anemone.” Cyrus cooed. “Nice to see you again. How’s it with my son, Ash? Liking his company a lot I assume?” Anemone’s dull eyes met Cyrus’s, empty and cold. To show emotion to Cyrus was to put yourself in a vulnerable position. He frowned at her lack of response. “You love the open air don’t you?” He raised her up and held her over the vast sea. Ash jerked in fear.

“Yes.” She gasped quietly, struggling to speak. Her wings flopped uselessly at her sides, the sunlight highlighting her flight feathers that were too short. Just too short and unusable. Her tail hung down, mutilated and unrecognizable. A few tears leaked down Ash’s face as he struggled. His vision was blurred and he could no longer appreciate the sky, but rather watch his mother’s end.

“Any last words for your mate?” He asked evenly, dangling her carelessly.

“No.” She coughed. She quickly glanced at Ash, too fast for Cyrus nor anyone else to catch. “The sunset- it’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She breathed, her delicate body trembling. Cyrus’s beak closed, he stared at her, the atmosphere becoming deathly silent. His eyes narrowed and his talons lit up, producing bright flame. Anemone shrieked and tried to wrench herself out of his hold, as the flame started absorbing her feathers, burning them into black, dusty ash.

Ash struggled harder, but Vol’s grip had grown stronger. Anemone’s body was shriveling up but she was still alive, her mind in a whirlwind and her heart pounding. The terror heard in her screams was too pure, too loud, but Ash could not look away nor cover his ears. Her body made a last attempt at surviving, jerking and trying to escape Cyrus’s grasp, her feathers faded and her eyes hidden by the vivid flame.

Then she stopped moving.

The malicious fire lived on.

Cyrus smiled through it all, his eyes lit up by sadistic delight. “Well that was funny.” He concluded, before throwing her body off the cliff. Ash scrambled trying to reach the edge of the cliff, only for Vol to let go of him, letting Ash scramble to the edge before Vol gripped onto his back, only allowing him to watch his mother fall into the sea. The flames clung onto her, as she fell. She looked like a phoenix. Maintaining beauty in her last moments.

Only then did Cyrus release Ash, as he froze at the edge of the cliff. “No, no, no.” Ash whimpered. “No- this- this isn’t happening. This is a dream.”

“Cry about it, you pathetic excuse for a bird.” Vol laughed, his eyes twinkling with glee.

“Let’s go back into the cave.” Cyrus ordered emotionlessly. “We can leave Ash out here.” Cyrus turned back and headed back into the den, the rest of the siblings laughing while Ash lay there.

He had no words. The tears began again, this time they trailed down his cheek with a lick of fire. Within his grief, a gemstone of rage had appeared. Pushing him to take revenge. Ash picked himself up, brushing off his tears. He didn’t see the tinges of fire that rolled off his wing as he walked back into the den.

Only if Vol hadn’t been holding him back. Maybe then he could have saved Anemone. What if his father came back to kill him too? Ash couldn’t risk that happening. He’d take revenge on Vol and make sure his father was happier, to avoid the same fate. He could kill Vol. His dad loved watching brutal displays of violence.

“Oh, isn't it little b*tch boy?” Vol called as Ash entered the cave. Ash could practically see the future unfold before him, tearing Vol apart like how it felt to see his mother die. Removing his

organs just like how his mother was forcibly removed from his life. To see life get torn away from his eyes, like the life that had drained out of his mother’s gaze.

“Sure it is.” Ash responded, making his way over to his brother. Vol opened his mouth to make another remark and he made his move. Ash lowered himself and reached for Vol’s throat with his beak, gripping on tightly. Vol screeched and tried to use his talons to push Ash off, losing his balance and dragging both of them onto the floor. Ash used one of his talons to push Vol’s claws away and used his other available talon to hook onto the soft belly of Vol and sink in.

Vol’s squeal of agony was like music to his ears, motivating him to go deeper as he started digging and digging, ripping apart the feathers, the skin, and revealing the meat. Even then Ash didn’t stop. All the other siblings did not dare move, did not interfere as Ash stuck his claw into the hole he made and started prying out organs. The floor was bloodied and that's when Cyrus bolted in to witness the scene before himself.

Ash admired his finished work before looking up to meet Cyrus’s eyes. “Are you proud of me?” He asked emptily. Cyrus just grinned with satisfaction.

“Why yes I am, Ash.” Cyrus purred. “Why weren’t you like this before? Was Anemone holding you back?” Ash wasn’t sure if she was but it didn’t matter anymore. Maybe Anemone was holding him back. Maybe if she didn’t hold him back, Cyrus would be prouder of him and wouldn’t take it out on Anemone.

“Yes.” Ash went with that answer. “She was holding me back. You made the right decision to end her.” Ash didn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth, but that was the truth he was willing to accept.

“I knew you were my favorite son.” Cyrus crooned, stroking Ash’s back.

“I’ll do anything to make you happy.” Ash promised, his heart objecting, the grief too fresh. His mind did not care for his heart, did not listen. It pushed his soul far far away, hiding it. Protecting it from the fate he was about to endure.

“I know you will. Mama’s boy is dead.”

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a distinguished event celebrating the art of storytelling and poetic expression. It provides a platform for writers and poets around the world to showcase their talents and share their unique voices. This competition is renowned for its diverse range of entries, highlighting creativity and innovative literary styles. Participants engage with a global audience, contributing to a vibrant community of creatives dedicated to the power of words.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ava Rui Qing See for sharing "Mama's Boy" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This compelling short story is a poignant exploration of family and identity, leaving a lasting impression on its readers. We look forward to witnessing more of Ava's literary journey, as her storytelling continues to captivate and inspire.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.