most famous funny short stories

They also use humor in different ways. Some use witty dialogue, like in many of Oscar Wilde's short stories. His characters often exchange clever and humorous remarks that make the story engaging. For example, in 'The Canterville Ghost', the contrast between the practical American family and the traditional English ghost creates a lot of comical situations through their interactions. Moreover, funny short stories are usually short enough to be read quickly, which is great for modern readers who have limited time but still want to be entertained.

One of the most famous funny short stories is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's about a young couple who are very poor but want to give each other special Christmas gifts. The wife cuts and sells her long beautiful hair to buy a chain for her husband's watch, while the husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's hair. It's a humorous and heartwarming story of selfless love.

One of the most famous short stories is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells a heartwarming story about a couple sacrificing their most precious possessions for each other. Another is 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, which shows the consequences of vanity. 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' by Gabriel García Márquez is also well - known, with its blend of magical realism. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is a classic horror short story. And 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway, which is known for its understated yet powerful storytelling.

Often, they use humor based on human nature. Take the story of the miser who finds a magic lamp. The genie offers him three wishes. He wishes for more money but with the condition that he doesn't lose any of his existing money. The genie tries to explain how it doesn't work like that, but the miser won't listen. This plays on the common trait of greed. Funny short stories also tend to be concise. They get to the point quickly and deliver the punchline or the funny part without a lot of extra fluff.

The story of Hercules in Greek mythology is very famous. He had to perform twelve labors as penance for killing his family in a fit of madness sent by Hera. These labors included slaying the Nemean Lion, capturing the Erymanthian Boar, and cleaning the Augean stables in a single day. His strength and the incredible tasks he accomplished made his story well - known.

Another story is that Churchill was once in the bathtub when an important official came to see him. Instead of getting out immediately, Churchill just sat there in the tub and carried on the conversation. His lack of formality in such situations and his nonchalant attitude added to his humorous image.

The story of the lion who fell asleep in a flower patch is quite well - known. He woke up with petals all over his face and mane. When he stood up, he looked like a walking flower bush. All the other animals couldn't stop laughing at his appearance, and he had no idea why they were giggling at first.

A very famous Chanakya short story is about his revenge. When he was insulted by the Nanda king, he vowed to bring down the Nanda dynasty. He carefully planned and strategized, and with Chandragupta Maurya as his instrument, he was able to fulfill his revenge. He first built Chandragupta's power base and then launched a series of military campaigns against the Nanda kingdom, which ultimately led to its downfall.

One cannot forget about 'The Red Room' by August Strindberg, which has strong French literary influences. It's a story that plays with the idea of fear and the unknown. The protagonist enters a red - room that is said to be haunted, and as the story progresses, the line between reality and illusion becomes blurred.

Some of the most famous French short stories include 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant. It tells the story of a woman who borrows a diamond necklace to attend a ball, loses it, and spends years in poverty trying to replace it, only to find out the original was a fake. It's a great exploration of vanity and the consequences of trying to keep up appearances.