They often involve characters who face great difficulties. For example, like in the story of Malala Yousafzai who faced the threat of the Taliban for advocating girls' education. These stories show that people can be strong in the face of adversity.
Most of the best inspirational stories are about transformation. Think about the story of Nelson Mandela. He was imprisoned for so many years, but he emerged as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. His story shows that people can change themselves and the world around them for the better through their experiences.
The best inspirational stories usually have a message of hope. Take the story of the survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Despite the horror they went through, they rebuilt their lives and spread the message of peace. It gives hope to others that no matter how bad things are, there is always a way forward.
They often have a central character who faces great adversity. For example, in the story of Job in the Bible, he lost everything - his wealth, his family, his health - but still remained faithful. This shows that characters in such stories are usually very resilient.
They are concise. The best small inspirational stories get to the point quickly without a lot of unnecessary details. For example, a story about a person who overcame poverty to achieve success in just a few paragraphs.
They often have strong and relatable characters. For example, in 'The Little Prince', the Little Prince himself is a character that many can identify with. His journey of self - discovery and his unique perspective on life are inspiring.
The best short inspirational novels often have a strong central theme. For example, in 'The Alchemist', the theme of following one's dreams is very prominent. They also usually have memorable characters. In 'Animal Farm', the animals like Boxer are very easy to remember. And they tend to use simple yet powerful language to convey deep messages, just like 'A Christmas Carol' does with its vivid descriptions of Scrooge's transformation.
One characteristic is that they tend to focus on personal growth. The main characters in these stories often start in a difficult situation and through their experiences, they transform and become better versions of themselves. Inspirational short stories also frequently use symbolism. A simple object or event can represent a larger concept, like a flower representing hope. Moreover, they are concise yet powerful. They can convey deep emotions and important life lessons in just a few pages, without getting too wordy.
One characteristic is that they often have relatable characters. For example, a story about an ordinary person achieving great things makes it easy for readers to put themselves in the character's shoes. Another is a clear message. A good inspirational short story will convey a positive message like 'never give up' or 'hard work pays off' directly or subtly.
They often have simple characters, like an animal or a common person. For example, in the story of the lion and the mouse, a tiny mouse helps a big lion. This simplicity makes it easy for people to understand.
Many of these books also highlight the power of female relationships. In 'Little Women', the four sisters support and learn from each other throughout their lives, and this sisterly bond is a great source of inspiration for female readers.
Often, they involve great perseverance. For example, like the story of Thomas Edison. He failed thousands of times before inventing the light bulb. But he didn't give up. So one characteristic is the ability to keep going in the face of failure.
They often have relatable characters. For example, in many such stories, the main characters are ordinary people facing extraordinary situations, like in 'The Gift of the Magi'. This makes readers feel connected.