They are concise. They often focus on a single event, like a key battle moment or an individual's heroic act. For example, a story might just be about a soldier's split - second decision to save a comrade.
Another really short war story is about a messenger pigeon during a war. The pigeon is carrying an important message across enemy lines. It has to dodge enemy fire and birds of prey. In the end, it reaches its destination safely, delivering the message that could potentially change the course of a battle.
A short story of friendship could be: 'A woman dropped her books. Another helped. They started chatting and became friends. It shows how a small act can start a friendship.
Most of them are highly impactful. They often leave a strong impression on the reader. Like, they might have a twist at the end that completely changes your perception of the whole story, making you think about it long after you've finished reading.
" No War in Peiping " was a novel about the political turmoil in China in the 1930s. The play was set in Beijing and told the story of a group of political figures competing and playing games in the chaos of war. The play received widespread praise and was hailed as a classic of Chinese TV dramas. The drama portrayed a group of characters with distinct personalities, showing the complexity and contradiction of China's political system, as well as the beauty and complexity of human nature. If you were interested in history and politics, or if you liked television dramas that portrayed deep characters," No War in Peiping " might be a good choice.
You can find really good really short stories in some literary magazines like 'The New Yorker'. They often publish short fictions of high quality. Also, there are many short story collections in libraries. For example, 'Interpreter of Maladies' by Jhumpa Lahiri contains really good really short stories that explore various themes such as cultural identity and human relationships.
Ray Bradbury is well - known for his short stories too. His works such as 'The Pedestrian' are thought - provoking and very engaging despite their short length. Also, Edgar Allan Poe. His short stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are full of mystery and horror elements, and are considered some of the best in the genre.