Regret is also a big theme. People often regret not forwarding the chain letter when bad things happen, like in the story of the man who didn't forward it and then his family had problems. They wonder if they could have prevented the bad things if they had just followed the chain letter's instructions. This sense of regret makes the stories sad.
One common theme is loss. For example, losing a relationship, like a friendship or a family connection, as in the case where people believe not forwarding the chain letter leads to estrangement.
One sad chain letter story I heard was about a lost friendship. A girl received a chain letter saying if she didn't forward it, she'd lose her best friend. She ignored it, thinking it was silly. But then, her friend gradually drifted away, getting involved in new groups and ignoring her. It made her really sad, realizing that sometimes things change in unexpected ways, even if there might not be a real 'curse' in the chain letter.
One common theme is unrequited love. For example, someone writes a love letter pouring out their heart, but the recipient doesn't feel the same way. Another theme could be loss. Maybe the love was there once, but due to circumstances like distance or death, it's gone. Also, betrayal can be a theme. If one person in the relationship cheats, the love letter can then become a sad record of the broken trust and love.
One of the most interesting ones was a chain letter that traveled around an old neighborhood. It was a letter full of family recipes. People added their own favorite recipes and passed it on. So it became like a cookbook that was constantly evolving.
Well, the theme of lost opportunities is quite common. In sad love stories, the characters may miss the chance to be together for various reasons, like hesitation or external forces. For instance, in some stories, a couple may have the opportunity to run away together but one of them fails to act in time. Also, the theme of sacrifice is often seen. A character might sacrifice their own happiness or even their life for the sake of their loved one, which makes the story sad. Another common one is the passage of time. As time goes by, love may fade or the lovers may change, resulting in a sad end to the relationship.
Yes, there might be some that people claim as success stories. For example, some chain letters in the past were about sharing positive affirmations or business tips. However, many chain letters are also associated with scams or false hopes. It's important to be cautious. Just because someone says they had success from a chain letter doesn't mean it's a reliable or ethical method. In most cases, real success comes from hard work, not chain letters.
Loss is a very common theme. It could be the loss of a loved one, like a person's death or someone leaving. For example, when a parent passes away, it leaves a huge void in a child's life.
A 'chain letter love story' could be about how a chain letter, which is usually something passed around for various reasons, becomes the catalyst for a love story. Suppose there's a small town where a mysterious chain letter arrives. This letter has some words of love and hope. One person reads it and decides to pass it on. Along the way, two people who are both involved in passing the letter start to communicate about it, share their feelings about the letter's message, and gradually fall in love.
The unknown. In chain letter scary stories, there's always something that's supposed to happen if you don't follow the rules, but you don't really know what it is. It could be a supernatural entity coming after you or just some bad luck. It plays on our fear of the unknown and our natural instinct to avoid danger.
One common theme is the struggle against dark forces. In sad fantasy stories, often the main character has to fight against some sort of evil, and in the process, they may lose a lot. For instance, in 'The Lord of the Rings', Frodo's journey is full of sadness as he battles the forces of Sauron. Another theme is the power of hope in the face of despair. Even though the story may be sad, there is always a glimmer of hope that keeps the characters going. And the theme of sacrifice is also present. Characters may sacrifice themselves for the greater good, which adds to the sadness of the story.
Unfulfilled dreams also feature often. Consider the girl who couldn't build her castle with her blocks because she had to leave them behind. It represents the disappointment when plans are thwarted and dreams associated with the blocks can't be realized.