What are the common themes in sad children stories?

Well, abandonment is a big theme. Think of a child whose mother leaves them for some reason. They are left to fend for themselves, either literally or emotionally. Another is disappointment. A child might be disappointed when their dreams don't come true. For instance, a child who dreams of becoming a great artist but is told they have no talent. And of course, there's the theme of not fitting in. A child who is different from others, maybe because of their appearance or interests, and gets left out by their peers.

Separation is a common theme. For example, when one child has to move or when families interfere. It's like in the story where a child's family moves to another country, and the little love they had with their friend is broken.

The theme of change for the worse often appears. In 'Bridge to Terabithia', Leslie's death changes the main character's world completely. Disappointment is also there. In stories where a child hopes for something and it doesn't come true, like in some fairytale - like sad short stories. And the feeling of being different or an outsider, which can be seen in stories where a child character doesn't fit in with others and feels sad about it.

One common theme is the cruelty of the world. In stories like 'The Red Balloon', the balloon is destroyed by mean - spirited children. Loneliness is also often present. The Giving Tree is lonely as the boy grows up and takes from it without really giving back. And the theme of mortality is there too. In 'Charlotte's Web', Charlotte's death makes it a sad story about the inevitability of death.

Loss is a big one. It might be the loss of a relationship due to circumstances like a family moving or an illness. Also, the theme of change. As children grow, their feelings might change or the situation around them changes, leading to a sad end to what was a budding love. For instance, a child who was close to another in kindergarten may find that they are in different social groups in elementary school and their special bond fades away.

Separation is a common theme. Like in many stories, children are often parted due to family moving or other external factors, which shatters their young love.

Well, the theme of lost opportunities is quite common. In sad love stories, the characters may miss the chance to be together for various reasons, like hesitation or external forces. For instance, in some stories, a couple may have the opportunity to run away together but one of them fails to act in time. Also, the theme of sacrifice is often seen. A character might sacrifice their own happiness or even their life for the sake of their loved one, which makes the story sad. Another common one is the passage of time. As time goes by, love may fade or the lovers may change, resulting in a sad end to the relationship.

Loss is a very common theme. It could be the loss of a loved one, like a person's death or someone leaving. For example, when a parent passes away, it leaves a huge void in a child's life.

One common theme is the struggle against dark forces. In sad fantasy stories, often the main character has to fight against some sort of evil, and in the process, they may lose a lot. For instance, in 'The Lord of the Rings', Frodo's journey is full of sadness as he battles the forces of Sauron. Another theme is the power of hope in the face of despair. Even though the story may be sad, there is always a glimmer of hope that keeps the characters going. And the theme of sacrifice is also present. Characters may sacrifice themselves for the greater good, which adds to the sadness of the story.

Unfulfilled dreams also feature often. Consider the girl who couldn't build her castle with her blocks because she had to leave them behind. It represents the disappointment when plans are thwarted and dreams associated with the blocks can't be realized.