A lesser - known but still very funny public domain short story is 'The Stolen White Elephant' by Mark Twain. The way Twain describes the search for the elephant and all the chaos that ensues is quite hilarious. Also, 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton has an element of mystery and humor in the way it presents the dilemma at the end.
Also, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll. It's a fantastical journey full of strange creatures and situations. It appeals to both children and adults with its vivid imagination and clever wordplay.
Some classic short stories like 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry and 'The Tell-Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe are in the public domain.
You can find them on websites like Project Gutenberg. It has a large collection of public domain works, including many short stories that are quite funny. Just search for 'funny short stories' on their site, and you'll be presented with a variety of options.
One popular public domain fantasy short story is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs. It's a dark and mysterious tale about a magical paw that grants wishes with unforeseen and often tragic consequences. Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which has elements of psychological horror and fantasy. And then there's 'The King in Yellow' by Robert W. Chambers, which features a strange and otherworldly play that has a disturbing effect on those who read it.
Discussing erotic fiction is not appropriate in many contexts. We can instead focus on public domain texts in general literature, such as works by Shakespeare which are in the public domain. His plays and sonnets are great examples of public domain texts that have influenced literature worldwide.
Some well-known horror short stories in the public domain include works by Edgar Allan Poe, such as 'The Tell-Tale Heart' and 'The Black Cat'.
One well - known public domain horror short story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a classic that delves into the mind of a madman, with its intense psychological horror.
Well, 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells is quite famous and is in the public domain. It takes the reader on a journey through time and explores different future societies. 'The Island of Doctor Moreau' by the same author is also notable. It delves into the ethics of scientific experimentation. Then there's 'The Red One' by Jack London. It has elements of adventure and exploration in a science - fictional setting. These stories have not only entertained generations but also influenced many modern science fiction works.
Well, 'The Machine Stops' by E.M. Forster is quite popular. It depicts a future where people rely entirely on a machine and what happens when it fails. 'The Star' by Arthur C. Clarke is another great one. It deals with themes of religion and science when a star goes supernova. And then there's 'Who Goes There?' by John W. Campbell, which has been the basis for many movies about an alien entity that can take over human bodies.
Good character development is also key. Even in a short story, the best ones make you care about the characters. In some public domain horror stories, the main character's fear and desperation are palpable, which draws you into the story. And many of them have unexpected twists. Like in some old Gothic horror short stories, the ending might completely change your perception of what was going on throughout the story.