Another theme could be about the cruelty of fate. Take the case of a hard - working farmer who finally had a good harvest coming but then a sudden storm destroyed everything. All his efforts were in vain, and he was left with nothing but despair.
The theme of loneliness might also be present. A person who has outlived all his friends and family, sitting alone in an old house with only memories for company. There's a deep sense of sadness in that kind of isolation, like being forgotten by the world.
One possible theme could be loneliness. Fat Mike might have felt alone in certain situations, which made his stories sad.
A common theme could be transformation. For instance, a person who was living a rather ordinary life but then had an experience that completely changed them and they went on to do great things. Maybe they traveled to a new place and were inspired to start a new career or a charity. There could also be a theme of courage, where people face their fears and do what is right even when it's scary.
Another top sad story is about a person who has a dream all their life but due to unforeseen circumstances like an illness or financial problems, they can never achieve it. They watch their dream slip away as they are powerless to change their situation, which fills them with a deep sense of regret and sadness.
Love could be a possible theme. Many great stories revolve around love, whether it's romantic love, love between family members or friends.
One possible theme is loneliness. The goblin is sad because he has no friends or is separated from his family, highlighting the pain of being alone.
Another theme might be about difference and acceptance. If the duck is different in some way and not accepted by the others, it shows how hard it can be for those who don't fit in. It could also be a theme of survival, especially if the duck is facing difficulties like an injury or a harsh environment and has to struggle to survive on its own.
One possible theme could be loss. Maybe they lost each other, or lost something important like their home or a shared dream.
Loss could be a theme. He could have lost his family, friends, or even parts of his kingdom, which made him a sad figure. For instance, if he lost a battle and had to cede some territory, it would be a great loss.
Another possibility is the loss of something precious. It could be a loss of a home, a friendship, or a dream. If 'valobashar' is a place, perhaps the story is about how the people there lost their idyllic way of life due to some external factors like natural disasters or the arrival of invaders. This would make it a very sad story indeed.
One possible theme could be social justice. Steve Croft might have covered stories where people were fighting for their rights. Another theme could be innovation, if he has reported on new technologies or scientific breakthroughs. And perhaps there's a theme of personal achievement in some of his stories, like profiles of successful individuals.