Timing is crucial too. In a funny story, the punchline or the funny moment should come at the right time. If it's too early or too late, it won't have the same effect. For instance, in a joke about a magician who accidentally turns his assistant into a frog, if the reveal of the frog is too slow, it loses its humor. A well - timed funny moment can make a story one of the best in terms of humor.
Surprise is a key element. For example, if a character is expected to do one thing but does the exact opposite in a really unexpected way, it can be very funny. Like a strict teacher suddenly dancing on the table during a class.
Relatability can make a humorous story great. If people can see themselves or others in the situation described in the story, they are more likely to find it funny. For example, a story about a student trying to cram for an exam at the last minute and all the crazy things they do in the process, many students can relate to that and thus find it humorous.
Surprise is a big one. For example, in the story about the man seeing spots and the doctor's reply, the unexpected response from the doctor makes it funny. It's not what you would normally expect in that situation.
Well, first of all, relatable characters or situations can make short funny stories appealing. If we can see ourselves or people we know in the story, it's easier to find it funny. For instance, a story about a student trying to avoid doing homework in a creative way. Secondly, exaggeration plays a big role. When a character's reaction to something is overly exaggerated, like a man screaming at the sight of a tiny spider as if it were a huge monster, it makes the story humorous. And the use of irony also adds to the appeal. A fire station burning down is an example of ironic and funny situation in a short story.
Here's one. A magician was walking down the street and turned into a grocery store.
A strong and complex character is key. For example, in 'The Godfather', Vito and Michael Corleone are complex characters involved in violent acts. Their motives, family loyalty, and the power dynamics make the violent elements more engaging.
A funny short story often has a play on words or misunderstandings. Take the story where a man says he's going to 'dye' his hair and his friend thinks he's going to die. This confusion creates a humorous situation. Also, the pacing can be important. Quick - paced stories with a sudden punchline are usually very funny.
Courage is a key element. When soldiers face great danger without hesitation, like the soldiers in the Battle of Iwo Jima who climbed the volcanic cliffs under heavy fire. Their fearless actions make the story great.
Here's one. A student was late for school. The teacher asked, 'Why are you late?' The student said, 'I followed a sign that said, "School Ahead, Go Slow", so I did.' This simple and witty answer is really funny.
One funny story is about a cat that thought it was a dog. It would chase its own tail like a dog and bark at the mailman. Another is a story of a man who tried to fix his roof. He slipped and his pants got caught on a nail. So there he was, hanging by his pants until his neighbor came to rescue him. It was quite a sight.
One of my favorite funny stories is about a farmer. He had a donkey. One day, the donkey fell into a well. The farmer tried to figure out how to get it out. After a while, he decided it was too much trouble. So he started to shovel dirt into the well to bury the donkey. But every time he shoveled dirt, the donkey would shake it off and step up. Eventually, the donkey climbed out of the well. Another story is that a man was walking in the park. He saw a sign that said 'No dogs allowed'. He looked around, didn't see any dogs, and then sat on the sign.