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Greetings, short story lovers, and welcome to this week’s prompt.

Ever since there have been heroes, there have been wiser, older, characters teaching them. Beowulf had Hrothgar, Arthur had Merlin, Luke had Yoda and Obi-Wan, and the annals of kung-fu contain too many wizened old men to count.

There is something sacred between the bond of student and pupil, something mystical invoked in the passing of knowledge, and an ever-shifting relationship between student and master that seems to never quite go smoothly.

Our authors’ assignment this week was to give us a story wherein a teacher, mentor, or trainer plays a central role. They were allowed to explore the physical world, the mental, the spiritual, or anything in between as long as a student learns from a master.

Who will graduate and who will have to stay after school and clap erasers?

Let’s find out!

Albert Berg represents the arena this week with “Tree Stand.”

D.M. Slate battles back with “Throw an Orange.”

The Teacher Tussle is on!

We have two judges that will render their decision next Monday. The third vote comes from you, the readers. We ask that you read both stories objectively, and then leave a comment below or on the story itself. Authors are not allowed to comment on their own stories, but we’re sure they’ll be checking in here. We’ll tally up the totals and announce our champion on Monday.

And remember, if you like one of this week’s stories, vote it up in the new all-time best of list (new stories appear at the bottom).