A thief broke into a car at night. He thought no one was around. But the car owner had installed a hidden camera. The thief stole some CDs and a small amount of cash. When the owner checked the footage and reported it to the police, they were able to identify the thief from the images. These short crime stories show that criminals often underestimate the evidence they might leave behind.
Here is another. A woman entered a store. She slipped a small piece of jewelry into her pocket when the clerk wasn't looking. But an observant customer saw her and told the clerk. The woman was then held until the police arrived. She was charged with theft. In short crime stories like these, the act of crime is simple and direct, and the consequences usually follow quickly.
One night, I heard a strange scratching at my window. I peeked out, but saw nothing. Then I heard it again, closer. Suddenly, a pale face stared back at me.
One: It was Christmas. A little girl found a puppy under the tree. It became her best friend.
The last person on earth sat alone in a room. Then there was a knock at the door.
Once, in an old house, a girl heard a soft whisper. She turned, but no one was there. Only cold air.
In the old attic, I found a doll. Its eyes seemed to follow me. When I blinked, it was closer. I ran out and never went back.
One short Christmas story is about a little boy who found a star ornament on the street. He took it home and hung it on his family's shabby tree. That night, the tree seemed to glow with a special light, filling their small home with warmth.
A young boy wanted to be a great pianist. He practiced every day, even when his fingers ached. One day, a famous maestro heard him play and offered to mentor him. Moral: Persistence pays off.
A young boy was afraid of the dark. One night, he saw a firefly. Its light made him feel safe, and he wasn't scared anymore. This story shows how small things can bring big comfort.
Once upon a Halloween, a little girl in a witch costume knocked on a door. An old man opened it and she said 'Trick or treat!' The old man gave her a big piece of candy. She skipped away happily.
Sure. 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl is a great one. It's about a wife who kills her husband in a very unexpected way. Another is 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features Sherlock Holmes solving a mysterious case.