Guy de Maupassant's 'Boule de Suif' is a well - known short story set during the Franco - Prussian War. It shows the different attitudes of people from different social classes during that time of conflict through the story of a prostitute named Boule de Suif.
One popular one is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, which can be found on some free story websites. It has elements of historical and social context. Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which gives insights into the past through a psychological lens.
One popular one is 'The Lady and the Highwayman' which often pops up in free e - book collections. It tells a story of a noble lady and her encounter with a charming yet dangerous highwayman in a historical setting. Another is 'A Knight's Love in Medieval Times' which can be found on some author blogs for free. It details the love story between a knight and a maiden during the Middle Ages.
One popular choice is 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer. It's a collection of stories from different pilgrims in medieval England. Another is 'The Martian Chronicles' by Ray Bradbury, which has elements of historical and science fiction, set in a future - looking - back - at - Mars exploration.
One great free historical fiction short story is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. Although it's more of a horror - tinged story set in a seemingly idyllic small town, it has elements of historical context. Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which reflects on the status of women in a historical setting. You can find these on Project Gutenberg.
There's a short story called 'A Regency Romance' which is often shared on free reading platforms. It takes place during the Regency period in England and features the typical balls, lords, and ladies. Also, 'The Colonial Love Affair' has been popular. It's set in the colonial era and shows the relationship between a colonist and a local woman. These stories are popular because they transport readers to different historical periods and offer a taste of the love and drama that took place back then.
One popular 5th grade historical fiction short story is 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963'. It tells about an African - American family's journey to Birmingham during a turbulent time in American history. Another is 'Number the Stars', which is set during World War II and shows the story of a girl helping her Jewish friend. 'Sarah, Plain and Tall' is also great. It's about a mail - order bride coming to the prairie in the past.
Sherlock Holmes stories are often available for free in the public domain. 'A Scandal in Bohemia' is a well - known short story in the Sherlock Holmes series that is both free and highly popular. Another one could be 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe, which is a classic in crime fiction and can be found for free in many places.
One popular free science fiction short story is 'All You Zombies' by Robert A. Heinlein. It's a mind - bending time - travel story. Another is 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin. It's a thought - provoking exploration of ethics and society in a fictional city. And 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes, which, while often considered more in the realm of science - fictional literature, is also freely available in short - story form and tells a poignant tale of intelligence enhancement and its consequences.
One popular one is 'The Patrol' which is often shared on military - related websites. It's about a small patrol unit's experience in a war - torn area.
One popular one is 'The Block' which is often shared on various free story platforms. It gives a vivid picture of life in an urban neighborhood. Another is 'City Lights at Midnight' which delves into the nightlife and the characters that inhabit it in an urban setting.