A concept that I think is cliche: "A young man and a young lady meet and have to do something together, even though they both hate each other. In the process of their mission, they fall in love."

Just thought I'd mention that though we laugh at cliché’s, they are often based in reality. I know two couples in real life, who literally ran into one another (or he hit her with his tennis racket) when they first met. It's cliché, but it does happen in real life.

Okay, the one that came to mind is that the adopted son of the peasant is actually the heir to the throne.

Ahhhh, so that's why I didn't know 'Many hands make light work'. I had never heard that one before.

Howabout this one--

A petite, gorgeous warrior maiden who runs around scantily clad with long flowing hair, and yet somehow also can beat any man alive in single combat with any weapon.

Usually, she's very brash and bold and hates men, but then her heart is captured by an equally attractive hero and they save the world together.

lol. I really dislike that one.

A petite, gorgeous warrior maiden who runs around scantily clad with long flowing hair, and yet somehow also can beat any man alive in single combat with any weapon.

Ick! That one really rubs me wrong.

Ooh, I groaned when I read that. LOL

*slinks away*
Actually, for me, it depends on how that one is handled.

Lets see . . . The old mentor who tells the young person that the fate of [whatever] rests on their shoulders . . . right before he/she dies of a villain inflicted wound.

...loud sound...
...bright sun....
...beautiful maiden...

He he, yeah. I personally like to slip in a simile (right word?) or a metaphor, or a comparison every now and then, just for a more interesting picture than an adjective or adverb would give.

... their jaws dangling like overripe apples.

Over-ripe apples rot a bit, connects with zombies possibly because of rotting flesh and hanging jaws.

How about a vaguely idealized Medieval European country as the setting?

I actually like it when an old well worn cliche is taken, crafted anew, and given an entirely new fling. Actually *coughs* I love a well-reinvented cliche. But it MUST be done right, and it's so easy to mess up.

A petite, gorgeous warrior maiden who runs around scantily clad with long flowing hair, and yet somehow also can beat any man alive in single combat with any weapon.

* Shudders * Blech. . .

How about this:
Gorgeous girl bumps into handsome guy. They stumble and trip into each other's arms. They get married the next day.

Hehe...I accidentally reinvented a cliché...I did the whole "I am your father." thing, without realizing it too.

Did you name anyone Darth Vader?

Star Wars and Star Trek are very different, Bethy.

Sure, let the fair maiden bump into the guy, let them fall in love, and then... boom. Happy ending goes bye-bye and perfect angelic being turns out to be... not-so angelic *cough*

If no one minds, I'm going to throw the topic on a loop and say something radical: cliches are awesome