Category: Amusement

10 Jan 2023 06:38

Joined:	23/09/2015
Level:	Gold
Points:	63032

Points:	15 (₹ 15)

Shortest short stories

Ernest Hemingway is considered one of the greatest writers in English literature. I am sure most of us have read his great creations like 'The Old Man and the Sea', 'A Farewell to Arms' or 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', in original or in abridged form. This great writer got the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954. This extremely successful writer committed suicide on 2nd July 1961. It is said that he shot himself with his shotgun; he was depressed due to his perceived inability to write great stories anymore.

Ernest Hemingway wrote the shortest short story. It is believed that he wrote it to win a challenge from Fidel Castro and Che Guevara during his stay in Cuba. He wrote it on a piece of tissue paper. This famous story is: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn". Only six words!

The shortest horror story was written in 1948 by an American writer, Frederick Brown. The story is: "The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door ...". The story has only two sentences with seventeen words!

Can any of the ISC writers challenge these great writers and write short stories in less than twenty words?

#768566

10 Jan 2023 12:41

Joined:	10/12/2016
Level:	Diamond
Points:	109183

Points:	3

Writing stories is not a big deal as one can practice and become successful in that area but writing a very short story or the world's shortest story is a big challenge. Famous writers had done that as mentioned by the author in this informative post. We can also try writing such short stories but only readers can tell us how effective they were.

Let me try a few of them -
The robot killed the last human on Earth.

After taking the medicines she saw a different face in the mirror.

It was night and suddenly Earth stopped rotating. The night continued.

Knowledge is power.

#768570

10 Jan 2023 14:48

Joined:	02/06/2009
Level:	Diamond
Points:	145329

Points:	1

Thanks to the author for his information on the shortest short stories. In his earlier post on a short story, he gave some information about writing a short story. Such posts are educational to members like me.

Writing a short story with a message to convey is very difficult. Not like just writing a sentence. Some writers may have such talent but not all. I feel it is very difficult for me to write such sentences. Anyhow, we can practice so that we can also be able to write some short stories with less than 20 words.

Raju is ]standing in the field with drink bottles. It is a drinks break.

drrao
always confident

#768577

10 Jan 2023 17:30

Joined:	04/05/2009
Level:	Gold
Points:	31216

Points:	1

A man laughed at the person crossed Railway level crossing under the gate on the danger to him. Suddenly a snake from the grip of an eagle from the sky, fallen on the laughing person's head and with a bite it vanished into shrub. This man died on the spot.

#768579

10 Jan 2023 20:06

Joined:	25/11/2014
Level:	Diamond
Points:	43273

Points:	1

The author has come out with unique information indicating that how the writers are creative in composing short stories creating impacts among the reader's circles. Writing stories in the range of 300 words or more would not produce stress to the story writers but composition of short stories with a few words are indicative of the artistic abilities of such writers and definitely it cannot be perfected unless enough practice is made in this direction.
While writing stories, plot of stories, selection of characters and the vision to move ahead are equally important. That is why it requires the touch of brilliance which alone a writer can provide to make his image among the readers.

#768582

10 Jan 2023 20:58

Joined:	23/09/2015
Level:	Gold
Points:	63032

Points:	1

My first story. It may not be completely suitable for this website, but definitely reflects a terrible problem of our society.

She firmly said: "No. And no means no". The man reacted by throwing acid on her beautiful face. (18 words)

(a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
(b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

#768585

10 Jan 2023 23:53

Joined:	11/12/2021
Level:	Gold
Points:	4075

Points:	2

A very interesting post.
Let me try to write. I am doing it for the first

The old widow could not sell her property and use the money because her greedy son had grabbed it mercilessly.(twenty words)

#768586

11 Jan 2023 00:00

Joined:	11/12/2021
Level:	Gold
Points:	4075

Points:	1

I am unable to edit the second line after submitting it as I wanted to add after first the word 'time '

#768589

11 Jan 2023 10:21

Joined:	03/03/2011
Level:	Gold
Points:	10278

Points:	2

It is a good challenge indeed. Let me try the best.

"The dog waited for the signal to turn green, but the man nearby went ahead at the pedestrian crossing"

#768593

11 Jan 2023 11:23

Joined:	02/01/2012
Level:	Gold
Points:	51633

Points:	10 (₹ 10)

My humble attempts-

1. He threw acid on her face and ran but was hit by a speeding truck and died. {17 words}

2. The mother breathed her last. He had tears in eyes but did not cry. {14 words}

'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
-Aristotle

#768595

11 Jan 2023 12:25

Joined:	18/10/2008
Level:	Platinum
Points:	260858

Points:	0

"Help!" Unheeded? Unheard? Too many earphones.

When you make a commitment, you create hope. When you keep a commitment you create trust! ~ John C. Maxwell

#768600

11 Jan 2023 12:55

Joined:	02/06/2009
Level:	Diamond
Points:	145329

Points:	1

Raju finished his peg of whisky and came out to talk about the side effects of drinking alcohol. ( !8 words)

drrao
always confident

#768603

11 Jan 2023 16:03

Joined:	23/09/2015
Level:	Gold
Points:	63032

Points:	1

Another attempt:

Amidst staccato sound of machinegun at night, the man took the newborn and boarded the truck for a new future. (20 words)

(a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
(b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

#768606

11 Jan 2023 17:20

Joined:	25/11/2014
Level:	Diamond
Points:	43273

Points:	1

Raju was sad for his failure in UPSC but then he received the news of success of his brother suddenly.

#768609

11 Jan 2023 19:13

Joined:	18/10/2008
Level:	Platinum
Points:	260858

Points:	10 (₹ 10)

Another attempt-

Outstretched hands, firmly gripped. Rescued!

When you make a commitment, you create hope. When you keep a commitment you create trust! ~ John C. Maxwell

#768617

12 Jan 2023 07:38

Joined:	23/09/2015
Level:	Gold
Points:	63032

Points:	1

My third attempt:

Astonished by the knock at the door, the last man on Earth opened it. His faithful dog entered the room. (20 words).

(a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
(b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

#768654

12 Jan 2023 22:52

Joined:	19/06/2011
Level:	Gold
Points:	87632

Points:	10 (₹ 10)

Broken man broke into bank; made police break their heads by his jail-break.

(Under what category will ' I came, I saw, I conquered " come?)

#768720

14 Jan 2023 10:50

Joined:	23/09/2015
Level:	Gold
Points:	63032

Points:	1

Does any member want to write and post more micro-short stories now?

If yes, he/she can post more as a response.

If not, I would request any Editor (who did not participate here) to evaluate these beautiful micro-short stories posted by ISC members.

(a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
(b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

#768791

15 Jan 2023 19:00

Joined:	18/10/2008
Level:	Platinum
Points:	260858

Points:	4

Partha,

I was going to put in a response yesterday but forgot, so putting it in now.

We will close the entries for this activity now and I would like to suggest that since you have come up with this concept, you can select the three best ones as per your own decision. We will give 10 points and 10 cash credits to those. Each of the three you select should be of three different participants. We will also enhance the points and cc assigned to this thread.

Just put the response no.# and the names of the three in a response here itself, and we will do the needful.

Thank you for this enjoyable creative activity!

When you make a commitment, you create hope. When you keep a commitment you create trust! ~ John C. Maxwell

#768805

16 Jan 2023 08:53

Joined:	23/09/2015
Level:	Gold
Points:	63032

Points:	1

The Managing Editor has asked me to evaluate the micro-short stories and announce the result of evaluation.

At the outset, I declare that I am not evaluating the stories submitted by myself.

After evaluating the other stories, I find the following stories excellent:-

1. Venkiteswaran Sir: #768654

2. Vandana Madam: #768609

3. Saji Sir: #768593 (The first story)

I appreciate all other participants (including myself) for the zeal and competitive spirit.

(a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
(b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

#768811

16 Jan 2023 11:27

Joined:	18/10/2008
Level:	Platinum
Points:	260858

Points:	2

Thank you, Partha, for selecting the winners and considering one of my entries worthy. The cc has been rewarded to the selected ones (another forum editor will credit the cc for my entry, since I cannot assign it to my own content).

Congratulations Venkisteswaran and Saji for your entries' selection.

I liked the self-appreciation note by Partha!

When you make a commitment, you create hope. When you keep a commitment you create trust! ~ John C. Maxwell

#768813

16 Jan 2023 11:48

Joined:	02/01/2012
Level:	Gold
Points:	51633

Points:	2

Thank you, Partha for selecting one of my stories as worthy of appreciation. Congratulations to Vandana ma'am and Venkiteswaran sir.

This was a nice initiative by the author that could evoke interest among the members.

'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
-Aristotle

#768828

16 Jan 2023 18:58

Joined:	19/06/2011
Level:	Gold
Points:	87632

Points:	3

It was a nice interlude and my response was impromptu one. The thread induced some interesting activity which can be easily attempted, but giving a creative challenge.
Thanks to the author for coming up with a novelty and to ME for accepting he author's suggestion with an open mind and creative spirit. Appreciation to all participants who took up the creative challenge.

#768903

19 Jan 2023 22:08

Joined:	03/03/2011
Level:	Gold
Points:	10278

Points:	2

It was really an entertaining/innovative thread. I wish the author to come up with such more initiatives that makes the ISC lively and creative as well.

Congratulations to the winners and appreciations to all other participants accepting the challenge to make this post enlivened.

#768913

20 Jan 2023 10:42

Joined:	14/07/2012
Level:	Diamond
Points:	20385

Points:	2

I am late to respond in this excellent thread posted by Partha but will try to post my own imaginary short story.

The poor man cried thanking God, he had won the lottery with a big amount! (15 words)

#768937

20 Jan 2023 17:05

Points:	2

I have come to ISC after so long and after one useless thread I came around to this and I really appreciate the author for coming up with something different.

This thread made me smile that even the editors were among the active participants.

#768951

21 Jan 2023 12:13

Points:	2

Congratulations to all the winners. It is a great pleasure that the author is given the chance to select the prize winners. My appreciation to ISC for the same.

drrao
always confident

Shortest short stories

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