Prompt: Write a short story about a man who discovers a magical portal
Response:

Clark had always been a skeptic, but when he hit his mid-30s, he decided to explore his backyard more. One day, he was digging in the dirt when he found a small hole. After priing open the dirt, he discovered a small, dark opening. Curious, he stepped through.

As he traveled through the portal, he found himself in a different world. The sun was shining, the flowers were in bloom, and the birds were singing. He was also surrounded by people and animals of all different shapes and sizes.

Clark was shocked by this unexpected discovery and didn’t know what to do. He was about to step back through the portal when he noticed a signpost in the distance. On it, he found the word ‘Portal.’

Confused but intrigued, Clark decided to follow the sign. He found himself in front of yet another magical portal. This one led him to a castle in the middle of a deep forest.

Clark was shocked by the beauty of the place. He decided to explore more and ended up staying there for weeks. He met the king and queen, saw the elaborate ceremonies they held, and even taught one of the children to ride a horse.

Clark never would’ve guessed that exploring his backyard would lead to such an amazing adventure. Now, whenever he goes back to his normal life, he remembers the magical portals and empathizes with people who are still searching for their own adventures.