really good very short stories

You can find them in classic short story collections. For example, many libraries have anthologies like 'The Best American Short Stories' series. Online platforms such as Project Gutenberg also offer a wide range of short stories for free. There are also some literary magazines like 'The New Yorker' that often publish really good very short stories.

Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a great one. It's a short but touching story about a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions for each other. Another is 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' by Gabriel García Márquez. It's a magical realist story that makes you think. And 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway is also excellent. It has a simple yet profound dialogue.

Their brevity. They get straight to the point. There's no time for long - winded build - up. For example, in 'The Hitchhiker', the simple idea of a hitchhiker who keeps reappearing no matter what is terrifying in just a few pages.

Another one is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. In a small town, there is an annual lottery. At first, it seems like a normal event, but as the story progresses, it turns out that the 'winner' of the lottery will be stoned to death by the townspeople. It shows the dark side of human nature and blind adherence to tradition.

You can find really good really short stories in some literary magazines like 'The New Yorker'. They often publish short fictions of high quality. Also, there are many short story collections in libraries. For example, 'Interpreter of Maladies' by Jhumpa Lahiri contains really good really short stories that explore various themes such as cultural identity and human relationships.

Ray Bradbury is well - known for his short stories too. His works such as 'The Pedestrian' are thought - provoking and very engaging despite their short length. Also, Edgar Allan Poe. His short stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are full of mystery and horror elements, and are considered some of the best in the genre.

One characteristic is a strong emotional core. For example, in a short love story, the characters' love for each other should be palpable, whether it's a sudden spark or a slow - burning affection. Another is concise yet vivid description. It can quickly draw the reader into the story world with just a few words about the setting or the characters' expressions.

You can start by looking at classic horror authors. For example, Edgar Allan Poe has many short creepy stories. His works are often available in libraries or online for free. Another way is to check out horror anthologies. These are collections of short horror stories by different authors. You can find them in bookstores or on e - book platforms. Also, horror - themed websites and forums sometimes share user - submitted short creepy stories.

A short story of friendship could be: 'A woman dropped her books. Another helped. They started chatting and became friends. It shows how a small act can start a friendship.

One really short story could be: 'A man saw a coin on the ground. He picked it up. His day got better.'