What are some famous short stories and why are they renowned?

One famous short story is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's well-known for its shocking twist and exploration of human nature under pressure.

One must - read classic short story is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple, Jim and Della, who are very poor but deeply in love. Della sells her long hair to buy a chain for Jim's watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della's hair. It's a beautiful tale about selfless love and sacrifice.

There are several famous short stories. 'A Sound of Thunder' by Ray Bradbury is notable for its imaginative take on time travel. 'The Tell-Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is famous for its intense psychological drama. These stories have captured readers' imaginations for years with their creativity and depth.

It usually has a concise plot and well-developed characters. The language is often vivid and engaging.

One of the most famous fiction authors is J.K. Rowling. She created the Harry Potter series which has captured the hearts of millions around the world. The series follows the adventures of a young wizard and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

One of the most famous authors of historical fiction is Hilary Mantel. Her 'Wolf Hall' trilogy, set in the Tudor period, is highly regarded. It gives a vivid portrayal of Thomas Cromwell's life. Another is Ken Follett. His 'The Pillars of the Earth' is set in 12th - century England and is a great exploration of architecture and the society of that time. And then there's Philippa Gregory, known for her many novels set in the Tudor and Plantagenet courts, like 'The Other Boleyn Girl' which delves into the life of Anne Boleyn from a different perspective.

One famous short German story is 'The Sandman' by E. T. A. Hoffmann. It's a dark and mysterious tale that has been widely studied and adapted. Another is 'The Marquise of O -' by Heinrich von Kleist. It tells a complex story about a noblewoman's situation. And then there's 'Peter Schlemihl' by Adelbert von Chamisso, which is about a man who sells his shadow.

One of the famous classical short stories is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy gifts for each other. Another is 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, which shows how a woman's vanity leads her into a difficult situation. And 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is a chilling story about a murderer's guilty conscience.

Some well - known children short stories include 'Cinderella'. It's about a kind - hearted girl who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters but finally gets her happy ending with the help of a fairy godmother. 'Snow White' is another famous one. Snow White is persecuted by her jealous stepmother, the queen, but is saved by seven dwarfs and a prince. Also, 'Hansel and Gretel' is a classic. Two children get lost in the forest and find a witch's house made of candy.

Another is 'The Three Little Pigs'. In this story, three pigs build their houses - one of straw, one of sticks, and one of bricks. The big bad wolf tries to blow down their houses. The pigs in the straw and stick houses are in danger, but the one in the brick house is safe, showing the importance of hard work and planning.