A pair of old shoes. They can tell a story about the places a character has been, the journeys they've taken. In a short story, the shoes could be passed down from a father to a son, and through the shoes, the story of their relationship, their shared dreams, and the son's struggle to fill his father's shoes (both literally and metaphorically) can be told.
A hook could also be a character's internal conflict right from the start. 'He knew he had to tell the truth, but every fiber of his being resisted.' This gives the reader an insight into the character's struggle and makes them interested in seeing how the character will resolve this conflict within the short story.
Sure. A common good meaning is courage. In short stories like 'The Little Engine That Could', the engine's repeated 'I - think - I - can' shows great courage in the face of a difficult task. Another example is the meaning of family. Some short stories highlight the importance of family bonds, like how family members support and love each other unconditionally. And also, responsibility. Stories may illustrate characters taking on responsibilities, which is a good meaning as it encourages readers to do the same in their own situations.
Sure. One short erratic story could be: A cat suddenly decided to chase its own tail in the middle of the living room, spun around and around until it got dizzy and then just lay down as if nothing had happened. Another could be: A man was walking down the street, saw a bright red balloon floating towards him, and as he reached out to touch it, it popped for no apparent reason.
Yes. 'The Good Samaritan' is a great parable short story. It tells of a man who is robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan, who was from a group despised by the Jews, stops and takes care of the injured man. This story teaches about kindness and not being prejudiced. Also, 'The Prodigal Son' is a parable. A young man asks for his inheritance early, squanders it, but when he returns home, his father welcomes him back with open arms, showing forgiveness.
Sure. One example could be a story where a student has a shortfall in study materials. He can't afford all the textbooks he needs, so he has to rely on borrowing from the library and sharing with classmates. This shortfall then becomes a challenge he has to overcome to succeed in his studies.
Yes. For example, a chef who accidentally added salt instead of sugar to a cake but managed to turn it into a new and delicious creation is an anecdote short story. Then there's the story of a fisherman who caught a very rare fish and instead of selling it, he released it back into the water. And an anecdote about a group of friends who went camping and had a spooky encounter with what they thought was a ghost in the woods.
Another one could be 'L' for Lamp. In a dark room, there is an old lamp. A young girl discovers it and when she rubs it, a genie appears. The genie grants her three wishes. This short story uses the letter 'L' as the starting point for the story's key element.
Common objects like a old key can be great for short stories. It can symbolize mystery, perhaps unlocking a long - forgotten secret or a hidden door in an attic. Another good object is a worn - out diary. It can hold the memories, dreams, and secrets of a character, and through its pages, the story can unfold, revealing the character's past and inner thoughts.
Take the short story of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'. One short cut we can get from it is the importance of honesty. If you lie all the time, people won't believe you when you really need help. This is a valuable lesson that can be applied in various situations like in the workplace or in personal relationships.
Sure. A haunted house is a great setting. It's full of mystery and fear. The creaking floors and cold drafts can add to the spooky atmosphere. Another is a war - torn city. The destruction and chaos can show the resilience or the downfall of characters. And a spaceship in outer space is also good. There's the isolation, the unknown of the universe, and the potential for alien encounters.