plans that may be traditional for short crossword

It could be a prologue. A prologue often sets the stage or provides background information before the start of the main story in Chapter 1.

I'm not sure. It's a bit of a puzzling clue. Maybe it refers to characters named May or Polly in a fictional work.

The famous short story of Dickens was A Tale of Two Cities. This novel was a classic science fiction novel about the story between two opposing cities. One of the cities was ruled by magic while the other was a free city where the people lived freely. In this story, the protagonist, Charles Dickens, played the role of an observer. Through this novel, he explored human nature, society, and politics. This novel was also adapted into many movies, TV series, and animated works, which were loved by readers all over the world.

It's usually about presenting a moral lesson or principle through a puzzle format with words related to the story.

The clues could be related to characters, events, or themes within the moral story. Maybe words like 'virtue', 'lesson', or names of common moral tales.

It could be 'novella'. A novella is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, which might fit this crossword clue.

Another option could be 'parable'. Parables are short stories that convey a religious or moral lesson. While they are generally short, some parables can be more elaborate and thus considered a 'long short story' in relation to the crossword clue. Parables are found in many religious and cultural traditions, like in the Bible for example, and their length and complexity can differ.

Crossword clues can inspire a short story by providing unique ideas. A single clue might spark an entire narrative. For example, a clue about an ancient city could lead to a story set in that city's past, full of historical events and characters.

One way is to use crossword clues as a plot device. For example, the main character could be a crossword enthusiast and the clues they encounter in a particular crossword puzzle could lead them on an adventure. Maybe a clue like 'A four - letter word for a flying mammal' (bat) could be the start of a mystery where they find a bat - shaped key that unlocks a secret compartment.

The combination of length and the need for specific word patterns. A long short story crossword often has complex clues and a wide range of vocabulary, making it tough to solve.