One common theme is wisdom. Old men in stories often represent a source of knowledge and experience that younger characters lack. For example, in many folktales, the old man imparts valuable life lessons.
Another theme is mortality. Old men are closer to the end of their lives, and their stories can explore how they face death, whether with acceptance, fear, or regret. In some short stories, an old man's reflection on his past deeds as he approaches death can be a central plot point, teaching readers about the importance of living a meaningful life and coming to terms with one's own mortality.
Loneliness is also a theme. Think of an old man living alone in a big house in a short story. His isolation can be a powerful exploration of the human condition. The story might show how he copes with his loneliness or how others interact with him in that state. There are also stories where the old man's loneliness is a symbol of a larger societal issue, like the breakdown of family values or the alienation of the elderly in modern society. This can be seen in some contemporary short stories that deal with aging populations.
War and conflict are common themes. Since it's set in a war - torn universe, battles between different factions like the Imperium and Chaos are often depicted.
Another theme could be the exploration of the senses other than sight. Since he is blind, the stories may focus on how he experiences the world through touch, smell, and hearing in a very vivid and detailed way. For instance, he can describe the smell of a flower or the sound of a raindrop in a way that makes the reader truly understand his unique perception of the world.
Since I don't know the exact Shamengwa short stories, it's hard to say. But generally, short stories can explore themes like love, loss, identity, and the human condition.
Power is a common theme. For example, how the king wields his power, whether for good or bad. In many stories, a king might have to make difficult decisions regarding the use of power, like in times of war or when dealing with internal unrest.
One common theme is family. Many short Tamil stories depict the relationships within a family, like the love between parents and children, or the conflicts and reconciliations among siblings. For example, a story might show how a son overcomes his differences with his father through understanding and forgiveness.
One common theme is space exploration. Clarke often writes about the adventures and challenges of traveling in space.
Identity is a major theme. Trans short stories often explore how a person discovers and defines their true self in relation to their gender.
Love is a common theme. For instance, stories might show a brief moment of love between two strangers. Another theme is adventure, like a character going on a mini - adventure in two minutes. Friendship is also explored, such as two friends having a meaningful interaction within the two - minute time frame.
Friendship is a common theme. For example, stories might show how friends support each other through difficult times in a soicy short story.
One common theme is self - discovery. People often have moments in these stories where they learn something new about themselves, like their true values or desires.