Welcome to Short Tales


A collection of short stories for your reading enjoyment

Currently 12,517 short tales

| Next Page

Advertise here



The Tragic Downfall of Ego: A Story of Obsessive Self-Importance



Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the rolling hills of the countryside, there lived a man named Ego. Ego was a peculiar fellow, consumed by an insatiable hunger for self-importance. He was convinced that he was the most brilliant, talented, and fascinating person in all the land, and he spent every waking moment seeking ways to validate his inflated ego.

Ego's obsession with himself began at a young age. As a child, he would often boast about his accomplishments, no matter how trivial they may have been. His parents, tired of his constant bragging, tried to teach him humility, but Ego was unreceptive. He believed that his greatness was self-evident and that anyone who failed to recognize it was either blind or malicious.

As he grew older, Ego's egotism only intensified. He became convinced that he was destined for greatness, and he would stop at nothing to achieve it. He spent hours in front of the mirror, admiring his own reflection and practicing his facial expressions to ensure they were suitably arrogant. He would often hold long, rambling conversations with himself, extolling his virtues and accomplishments to an unseen audience.

Ego's behavior became so extreme that the villagers began to avoid him. They found his constant bragging and self-absorption to be grating and offensive. But Ego did not care. He was convinced that he was a superior being, and that anyone who failed to recognize his greatness was simply beneath his notice.

One day, Ego decided to enter the village's annual talent show. He was confident that he would win first prize with ease, and he spent hours rehearsing his performance. However, when the night of the competition arrived, Ego found himself facing stiff competition from a young girl named Lily.

Lily was an incredibly talented musician, with a voice so pure and sweet that it could melt the coldest of hearts. She performed a haunting melody on her guitar, filling the room with a sense of wonder and joy. Ego watched in awe as she captivated the audience, his own performance seeming trivial by comparison.

Despite his disappointment, Ego refused to acknowledge Lily's superior talent. He became angry and resentful, convinced that he had been cheated out of victory. In a fit of rage, he stormed off the stage, vowing never to perform in front of an audience again.

From that day on, Ego became increasingly isolated and withdrawn. He spent his days brooding in his lonely cabin, nursing his wounded ego and plotting his eventual return to greatness. But despite his best efforts, he could never shake the feeling of inferiority that had taken hold of him.

As the years passed, Ego's egotism only grew more distorted and unstable. He became convinced that everyone was out to steal his glory, and he began to see enemies everywhere. He would often lash out at innocent bystanders, convinced that they were plotting against him.

Eventually, Ego's obsessive self-absorption consumed him entirely. He became a shadow of his former self, a pathetic figure who was utterly unable to see the world beyond his own reflection. And so, the once-proud Ego lived out the rest of his days in isolation, his egotism having reduced him to a mere shell of a man.


The A-Z Challenge: Where Creativity Meets Structure

Adventure Beckons: A Journey of Discovery and Power

Max's Mastery of Metalwork: A Tale of Detail and Admiration

Unveiling Aachen's Enchanted Realm: A Traveler's Journey into Magic

Aaliyah: The Star Who Shone Brightest Despite Criticism

Arnie's Adventure: The Little Aardvark Who Stood Up for What Was Rightfully His

Arty the Aardvark: The Unlikely Rockstar of the African Savannah

Aardvarks and Hyenas Unite for an Epic Journey and Lasting Friendship.

From Teenage Dreams to Global Acclaim: Aaron's Journey to Becoming a Music Producer Extraordinaire

Sailing into the Depths: A Young Man's Quest for Oceanic Wonder

Bringing Dreams to Life: The Magical Adventures of Ava

A World of Magic: The Ancient Tree's Lessons

The Ingenious Abacus: How One Man's Passion for Mathematics Changed History

Young Blacksmith Continues Legacy of Grandfather's Forge After Tragic Fire

The Abacus Master: A Legacy of Mathematical Brilliance

The Abacus Wizard: How Li's Math Skills Brought Prosperity to a Rural Chinese Village

The Math Whiz of the Village: Maria's Abacus Adventure

The Engine Room Enigma: A Mysterious Encounter at Sea

The Magical Adventures of Luna and Abalone: A Tale of Friendship and Wonder

The Secret Life of Abalones: A World of Wonder and Adventure

The Magical Abalone: A Tale of Friendship and Wonder

Abigails Journey: Finding Hope Amidst Regret

Abandoning My True Self: A Journey of Rediscovery

Abandonment: A Journey of Resilience

The Shadowed City: A Haunting Legacy of Disappearance

Maria's Mystical Journey: Unlocking Her True Potential

The Kind Heart of Abase: A Legacy of Compassion and Caring

The Brave Girl of the Rolling Hills: Abash's Quest to Save the Forest

Abashed: The Animal Communicator's Quest for Kindness and Protection

The Legend of Ash and Lila: A Tale of Unlikely Love

Emily's Gift of Courage

Unlocking the Art of Winemaking: A Small Village's Legacy of Passion and Excellence

The Sky's Great Mystery: A Massive Light Figure Appears in the Abatement

The Ancient Tree's Gift: A Boy's Quest for Communication

Ember's Legacy: A Young Girl's Quest to Protect the Natural World

The Secrets of Abattoir: A Gateway to Malevolent Spirits

The Magic Within: A Kind Man's Journey to Enchanted Lands

The Boy Who Wished for Adventure: A Magical Tale of Travel and Triumph

Ali's Journey: Pursuing Knowledge and Enlightenment in Baghdad's Great University

The Golden Age of Baghdad: A Love Story of Rebellion and Freedom

Amidst the Winter's Darkness, a Beacon of Hope: The Story of Abbé Pierre and His Café of Compassion

A Glimmer of Hope: A Priest's Encounter with Magic

The Wishes of the Abbaye de Bellevue: A Monastery's Descent into the Supernatural

Finding Peace in the Face of Doubt: The Story of Brother Thomas

The Abbess's Heart: A Tale of Love, Compassion, and Redemption

Finding Peace and Purpose at St. Agnes Abbey: A Story of Grief, Healing, and Redemption

Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Abbey: Sarah's Journey to Enlightenment

Finding Peace in the Ancient Walls: A Young Woman's Journey to Solace at the Abbey of St. Mary

The Eternal Sanctuary: A Place of Peace and Legacy

The Magic of Abbot: A Young Man's Quest for Ancient Power

Finding Inner Peace: A Journey of Discovery and Transformation

Finding Peace and Purpose in the Heart of Abbots

The Shroom's Sinister Spell: A Clever Inventor's Deadly Descent into Dark Magic

The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Donuts: A Tale of Mischievous Treats

The Magic of Abbr: A Curious Girl's Journey to Mastery

The Secret of the Hidden Clearing: A Brave Girl's Quest for Adventure and Survival

The Guardian of the Woods: A Young Girl's Quest for Magic and Protection

Adventurous Brave Curious Expeditions in Enchanted Lands: Alice's Magical Journey

King Edward Abdicates, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Kindness and Compassion

The Kingdom's New Queen: A Reflection of Wisdom and Compassion

The Kingdom's Unlikely Abdication: King Edward's Journey to Simplicity

The Kind and Just King: A Legacy of Wisdom and Compassion

King Henry's Legacy of Peace: The Kingdom's Path Towards Selfless Leadership

A New Queen, a New Era: The Transition of Power in a Far-Off Kingdom

A New Era Begins: King Edward's Legacy Continues

Abduction and Experimentation on an Unknown Planet

The Nightmare Unfolded

Sarah's Journey: From Earth to Alien Ship and Back Again

The Shadow Watchers: A Chronicle of Fear

The Mysterious Abductions of Willow Creek: A Town Forever Changed

Abducted by Alien Zorbs: Sarah's Fateful Night

Escape from Captivity: A Tale of Determination and Freedom

Trapped in Darkness: Sarah's Escape

The Alien's New World

Abe's Community Garden: A Small Act of Kindness with a Lasting Impact

Abe's Elemental Magic: A Simple Tailor's Quest for Heroism

Sailing Through the Storm: Abeam's Heroic Rescue

Abed's Magical Grove: A Legendary Adventure of Wonder and Discovery

Abel's Quest: A Journey of Kindness and Adventure

The Craftsman's Quest: Unlocking Inner Power and Potential

The Passionate Pursuit of True Love: The Tale of Pierre Abelard and Heloise

The Curious Adventures of Abelson: A Young Girl's Quest for Magic and Bravery

Abelsons: The Portal to Infinite Journeys

The Secret Isle: A Journey of Discovery and Redemption

Finding Solace in Aberdeen's Cozy Cup

The Secret Heart of Abernathy: A Tale of Adventure and Homecoming

A Town's Transformation: From Industrial Hub to Artistic Oasis

The Evil Force Within

The Aberrants Tale: A Mysterious Encounter in the Rainy City

The Girl Who Saved Eleria: A Tale of Magic and Bravery

Alice's Enchanted Adventure: The Girl Who Could Talk to Animals

The Magical Friendship of Hootie and Betsy: A Tale of Joy and Wonder

Thieving in the Night: A Master Heist

The Book of Unlocking: A Tale of Ingenuity and Responsibility in a World of Advanced Technology

Finding Hope: Better's Journey to a Better Life

The Betters' Downfall: A Hero's Quest for Humanity's Future

The Magic of Community: Ember's Legacy

The Bettors Curse: When Desire Becomes a Living Nightmare

The Shadow Whispers: A Beta's Descent into Darkness

Embracing Abeyance: Finding Hope and Resilience in the Face of Adversity

| Next Page

Advertise here

All stories are fictional works
- You may use any of these short stories as a base to create your own longer stories! -