Welcome to Short Tales
A collection of short stories for your reading enjoyment
Currently 12,517 short tales
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The Wishful Gate: A Tale of Sacrifice and Love
Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the heart of a dense forest, there was a legendary gate that held the power to grant wishes. The gate was said to have been built by a powerful sorcerer who had imbued it with his own magical abilities. It was rumored that anyone who passed through the gate could have their deepest desires fulfilled, but at a steep price.
One day, a young man named Thomas stumbled upon the gate while on a journey to find a cure for his dying mother. He had heard the rumors of the gate's power and was determined to try his luck. As he approached the gate, he felt a strange energy emanating from it, as if it were alive.
Thomas reached out a hand to touch the gate, but before he could make contact, a voice boomed from within the gate. "Who dares to disturb the resting place of the sorcerer?" it thundered. Thomas hesitated for a moment, then introduced himself and explained his reason for being there.
To his surprise, the gate replied, "I have been waiting for you, Thomas. Your mother's time is running out, and I can grant her wish, but only if you are willing to pay the price." Thomas was taken aback by the gate's words, but he knew that he had no choice. He nodded his head, and the gate began to glow with an otherworldly light.
As Thomas passed through the gate, he felt himself being pulled into a realm beyond his wildest dreams. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the sky was painted with colors he had never seen before. He soon found himself standing in front of a magnificent castle made of pure crystal.
Inside the castle, he met the sorcerer who had built the gate. The sorcerer revealed to Thomas that he had been granted immortality by a powerful deity, but at the cost of his ability to feel emotions. He explained that the gate was a conduit for the souls of those who desired to fulfill their deepest desires, but it came with a catch: each soul would be trapped within the realm forever, unable to return to their own world.
Thomas was torn between his desire to save his mother and the weight of the sorcerer's revelation. He knew that he had to make a choice, but he was unsure what to do. Just as he was pondering his options, the sorcerer appeared before him once more. "You have until sundown to decide," he said with a nod.
Thomas spent the rest of the day pacing back and forth in front of the castle, weighing his options. He knew that if he chose to save his mother, she would be cured of her illness, but she would never know what had happened to him. On the other hand, if he chose to free his own soul from the realm, he would be able to return to his family and friends, but his mother would remain trapped forever.
As the sun began to set, Thomas made his decision. He knew that he couldn't bear to leave his mother in illness, so he chose to free his own soul. The sorcerer nodded in approval and touched a small crystal to Thomas's forehead. In an instant, Thomas found himself back in the village, standing in front of the gate once more.
The villagers looked at him with confusion as he stumbled through their streets, but Thomas knew that he had made the right decision. He had saved his mother, even if it meant sacrificing his own chance at happiness. As he approached his home, he could see his mother sitting in her chair, looking stronger than he had ever seen her before.
Thomas knew that the gate's power was a double-edged sword. While it held the key to fulfilling one's deepest desires, it also came with an unspeakable price. He realized that true happiness could never be found in material possessions or wishes, but rather in the love and support of those around him. And so, he lived out the rest of his days in peace and contentment, surrounded by the people he loved.
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
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All stories are fictional works
- You may use any of these short stories as a base to create your own longer stories! -