They have relatable characters. When we can see ourselves in the characters of the story, it becomes more impactful. Like a story of a student struggling with exams, which many of us can relate to. They also usually carry a strong message. It could be about perseverance, kindness or hope. These messages are clear and easy to understand.
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.
The best small inspirational stories often have an element of surprise or an unexpected turn. This makes them more engaging. For example, a story where someone who was always considered a failure suddenly discovers their hidden talent and changes their life completely. They also tend to be positive in nature, leaving the reader or listener with a feeling of hope and motivation.
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.
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.
A young man from a poor family dreamt of becoming an artist. He couldn't afford proper art supplies. So, he used to draw on the sand by the river. One day, an art collector saw his drawings and was impressed. He sponsored the young man's art education. This story tells us that talent always finds a way, no matter how difficult the circumstances are.
You can find them in books like 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' series. These books are filled with a variety of small, heart - warming and inspiring stories. Also, many websites dedicated to self - improvement and motivation, such as Medium or InspireMore, often feature such stories. Another great place is your local library. Librarians can guide you to the sections where collections of short, inspiring tales are stored.
A best small story often has a simple plot. For example, like 'The Ant and the Grasshopper', it's easy to follow. The ant works hard all summer while the grasshopper plays. When winter comes, the ant is prepared and the grasshopper suffers. This simplicity makes it accessible to all ages.
Another thing we can learn is the value of self - belief. There are stories where the protagonist is mocked or not supported by others, but they still have faith in themselves. This self - belief is what drives them forward towards their goals, like a student who is told he's not smart enough but still tops the class because he believes in his abilities.
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.
They are usually short. This is so that kids don't get too distracted or lose interest before falling asleep. For example, a story might be just a few paragraphs long.
Good small stories are concise. They can convey a deep meaning in just a few lines or paragraphs. Take 'The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs'. It quickly gets to the point about greed, showing how the man's greed led to him losing the goose that was giving him golden eggs. They are able to engage the reader's emotions, whether it's making them laugh, feel sad, or think deeply.