great really short stories

One characteristic is a strong and immediate impact. Since they are short, they need to quickly grab the reader's attention. For example, in 'The Lottery', the seemingly normal start quickly turns into a disturbing situation. Another is the ability to convey complex ideas in a concise way. In 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings', complex themes about human nature and the unknown are presented in just a few pages. Also, great short stories often have memorable characters despite their short length, like the couple in 'The Gift of the Magi' who are so selfless.

Well, 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway is a great short story. It's very short but full of subtext about a couple's relationship and a difficult decision they might be facing. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is also a remarkable short story. It shows the mental state of a woman who is confined and slowly going mad. And there's 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe, which is a classic horror short story that explores the mind of a murderer.

You could explore subscription-based reading apps or platforms. Some of them curate high-quality short stories for users. Another option is to follow authors you like on social media; they might share their short stories or recommend good ones.

Simplicity. A great short joke story is simple and to the point. For example, 'I'm reading a book about anti - gravity. It's impossible to put down.' It gets right to the humor without a lot of extra details.

One really short story could be: 'A man saw a coin on the ground. He picked it up. His day got better.'

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.

Character development. A great jazz piano short story often has a well - developed character. For example, a pianist who is on a journey to find his own unique sound. The reader gets to follow his struggles and triumphs.

A great jazz piano short story often has a captivating plot, vivid character descriptions, and a strong emotional connection. The music elements are described beautifully to make the reader feel the rhythm and soul of jazz.

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.

One really short short story could be: 'The cat jumped. It landed on its feet. The end.'