Humor is the key characteristic. This can be in the form of witty dialogue, like in many Woody Allen short stories. His characters often have rapid - fire exchanges that are full of sarcasm and self - deprecating humor.
Dark comedy short stories usually play with taboos. Like in 'Lamb to the Slaughter', murder is presented in a somewhat comical way, which challenges our normal view of such a serious act. They also tend to have well - developed characters that act in unexpected ways, adding to the humor. For instance, the girl in 'The Open Window' who lies so convincingly.
The best ones often have a likable main couple. Their chemistry is palpable. There's usually a humorous situation that brings them together or creates a conflict. And a happy ending is a common feature.
'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' by Mark Twain is also a classic comedy short story. It tells the story of a man who bets on a frog that can jump really high. However, his opponent tricks him, and the whole situation is filled with humor, especially the way the characters talk and the absurd bet.
Saki's 'The Open Window' is another one. A young girl tells a visitor a fabricated and spooky story about her uncles' deaths, making the man believe he's seeing ghosts. The girl's mischievousness and the unexpected twist at the end contribute to its dark comedic nature.
One great Tamil comedy short story is 'The Clever Barber'. In this story, the barber uses his wits to outsmart a pompous customer. His humorous remarks and quick thinking make it a really funny read.
Online platforms like Project Madurai also have a good number of Tamil short stories, including comical ones. It's a great resource as it aims to digitize and preserve Tamil literature. Some of these stories have been passed down through generations and are now available for a wider audience to enjoy.
You can find the best romantic comedy short stories in many places. One option is your local library. They usually have a section dedicated to short story collections, including those in the romantic comedy genre. Another place is online e - book platforms like Amazon Kindle or Apple Books. There are also some websites that offer free short stories, but make sure they are legal sources.
One of the best comedy stories is 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' by Mark Twain. Tom's mischievous antics, like tricking his friends into whitewashing the fence, are hilarious. Another great one is 'A Confederacy of Dunces' which features the absurd character Ignatius J. Reilly and his comical misadventures in New Orleans. And 'Three Men in a Boat' is also very funny as it tells about the comical situations that three friends get into during their boating trip.
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde is a great free comedy story. It's about a family who moves into a haunted house and their interactions with the ghost are really funny. Also, some of Mark Twain's short stories are free and full of humor, like 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County'.