best really short stories

Most of them are highly impactful. They often leave a strong impression on the reader. Like, they might have a twist at the end that completely changes your perception of the whole story, making you think about it long after you've finished reading.

Some traditional publishing houses have anthologies for short stories. But they can be quite competitive to get into. Another choice could be local literary journals or small presses that focus on emerging writers and shorter works.

One could be 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings'. It's a rather strange and thought - provoking story. It has elements of the magical and the ordinary, making the readers think about how we perceive the different and the unknown in our society.

The conciseness. They can convey deep emotions and complex ideas in just a few pages. For example, 'The Necklace' manages to show the power of pride and the consequences of vanity in a short span.

One story from 'best really short stories' could be 'A Clean, Well - Lighted Place'. It's a story that delves into themes of loneliness, despair, and the search for meaning. The two waiters in the story have different outlooks on life, and through their conversations, we can feel the old man's silent struggle with his inner emptiness.

Simplicity. A great short joke story is simple and to the point. For example, 'I'm reading a book about anti - gravity. It's impossible to put down.' It gets right to the humor without a lot of extra details.

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.

There was this story where a girl was walking alone on a Halloween street. She saw an old lady in a black cloak sitting on a bench. The lady called her over and when the girl got closer, she saw that the lady had no face, just a blank space where her face should be. The girl tried to run but found herself unable to move. Then, she woke up, realizing it was all a nightmare, but the fear stayed with her all night.

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

One really short short story could be: 'The cat jumped. It landed on its feet. The end.'