How does a soft hearted man usually react when touched by a sad story?

Well, he could be inspired to take some action to help. For example, if the sad story was about a poor family lacking basic necessities, he might start a donation drive or offer his own assistance directly. His soft heart makes him more likely to feel empathy and turn that into positive actions.

She might be shocked at first. It's often unexpected, and she may not have seen it coming. So she could be in a state of disbelief.

He might listen attentively and nod along, showing his interest in the story.

In certain stories, the girl might see the merman as a magical being and immediately feel a sense of wonder. She could be in awe of his beauty and grace in the water, and be eager to communicate with him, regardless of the potential risks.

Some people might cry. It's a very common reaction as sad love stories often touch on deep emotions like heartbreak and loss. The characters' pain in the story can resonate with the reader or viewer's own experiences or fears of love gone wrong.

She could also become cold and distant. Instead of engaging in a shouting match, she might simply walk away and give Percy the silent treatment. This can be a powerful reaction as it makes Percy realize that his yelling has pushed her away and he has to make an effort to fix things.

Sometimes, Percy gets defensive. If he feels that Annabeth is being unfair, he'll start to argue back. He'll try to explain his side of the story and defend his actions or words. In some fanfictions, this can lead to a big argument between them.

Harry's reaction can be complex. At first, he may show immediate resistance, arguing that he's been wrongly accused. When he realizes that arguing won't get him anywhere, he might become sullen and withdrawn. However, this sullenness is also a sign of his determination not to let them break his spirit. He'll keep thinking of ways to prove his innocence or to show that their punishment is unjust. In some fanfictions, Harry also uses these punishments as a motivation to become better at magic, so that he can one day stand up to Snape and Draco more effectively.

They might get very excited. If the story has a lot of action, like a hero fighting a monster, they could be jumping up and down.

In many cases, the sad story of a broken family may end with some family members reconciling after a long time. Maybe the parents realize their mistakes and try to be part of their children's lives again. However, sometimes it ends with the family members remaining estranged and just learning to live with the pain. The children might build their own support systems outside the family and move forward, but still carry the scars of the broken family.