Spectator competition winners: how the aphid became and other creation tales

The invitation to take the title of a short story by Ted Hughes, How the Whale Became, substitute another animal or fish for ‘whale’ and provide a tale with that title brought in oodles of well turned entries bursting with charm. The comp was an absolute delight to judge, so well done, one and all. Special mentions go to C.J. Gleed, Michael McManus, Frank McDonald and Tracy Davidson, who were unlucky losers. The winners take £25 each. The bonus fiver belongs to Bill Greenwell.

Bill Greenwell: How the Aphid Became Call me Nana. I was born when my mother was being born, into one gender, no need for more, only the cycle, the cycle of endless begetting. When I was a few days old, my great-great-great-great-grandnymphs yelled, ‘We’re pregnant.’ And indeed they were, my beautiful matryoshki. There is nothing in this girly world so perfect as a broad green leaf, and the suckling of it.