The 15 best short stories (to learn by reading)

Throughout history and since the invention of writing, there have been many examples of authors who Through this they have given free rein to their imagination in order to express their feelings, emotions and thoughts. Many of them have embodied different beliefs, values ​​and ways of doing or living, some even in a short space.

These are short stories, of great value, of which throughout this article we offer you a fortnight to learn by reading.

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15 great short stories to learn from

Then we leave you with a total of fifteen examples of short stories and micro-stories, many of which have been elaborated by great authors of different eras, and that they deal with a great diversity of topics.

1. The story of the milkmaid

“Once upon a time there was a young milkmaid who carried a bucket of milk on her head, on her way to the market to sell it. Along the way, the dreamy young woman imagined what she could achieve with milk. He thought that in the first place and with the money from the sale he would buy a basket of eggs, which once hatched would allow him to set up a small chicken farm. Once these grew he could sell them, which would give him money to buy a piglet.

Once the sale of the animal grew, it would be enough to buy a calf, with the milk from which it would continue to obtain benefits and in turn could have calves. However, while she was thinking all these things, the young woman stumbled, causing the jug to fall to the ground and break. And with him, his expectations of what he could have done with her. "

This tale, which features versions of Aesop and La Fontaine (the latter being the one we have reflected), it teaches us the need to live in the present and that despite that dreaming is necessary, we must also bear in mind that this is not enough to achieve our purposes. Initially, it is a short story that advises us to be careful that ambition does not make us lose consciousness.

In addition, some adaptations also include a subsequent dialogue between the milkmaid and her mother, who tells him that thanks to having similar fantasies he was able to set up a farm: in this case it is a reflection that we need dream and ambition, but taking care of what we do to achieve the objectives, in addition to not giving up at the first stumble or obstacle.

2. The suspicion

“Once upon a time there was a woodcutter who one day realized that he did not have his ax. Surprised and with tears in his eyes, he met his neighbor near his house, who, as he always did, greeted him smilingly and politely.

As he entered his house, the woodcutter suddenly became suspicious and thought that it might have been the neighbor who had stolen his ax. In fact, now that he thought about it, his smile seemed nervous, he had a strange look and he would have even said that his hands were shaking. Well thought out, the neighbor had the same expression as a thief, he walked like a thief and talked like a thief.

All this the woodcutter was thinking, more and more convinced that he had found the culprit of the theft, when he he suddenly realized that his steps had led him back to the forest where he had been the night previous.

Suddenly he tripped over something hard and fell. When he looked at the ground... he found his ax! The woodcutter returned home with the ax, regretting his suspicions, and when he saw again his neighbor saw that his expression, gait and manner of speaking were (and had been at all times) those of forever."

This short story, which is part of many traditions but apparently has its origin in China, helps us to learn that sometimes our thoughts and suspicions cause us to have distorted perceptions of reality, being able to misinterpret situations and people with great ease. He also teaches us not to accuse someone gratuitously until we have real proof of what we accuse him of.

3. The goose that laid the golden eggs

“Once upon a time there was a couple of farmers who, one day, discovered a solid gold egg in one of the nests in which they raised chickens. The couple was observing that the bird produced such a prodigy day after day, obtaining each day a golden egg.

Reflecting on what it was that made the hen in question have this ability, they suspected that it had gold inside. To check it and get all the gold at once, they killed the hen and opened it, discovering to their surprise that inside the prodigious bird was just like the others. And they also realized that, in their ambition, they had finished with what had been enriching them. "

This fable, associated with Aesop but also versioned by authors such as Samariaga or La Fontaine and that sometimes tells us about a hen and other times about a goose, teaches us the importance of letting go of greed, since it can lead us to lose what we have.

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4. The Zen Master

“Once upon a time, during a civil war in feudal times, a small town where a Zen master lived. One day news reached them that a fearsome general was heading in his direction to invade and take the area. The day before the army arrived, the entire village fled, with the exception of the old teacher. When the general arrived, after finding the village practically deserted and knowing of the old man's existence, he ordered the Zen master to appear before him, but he did not.

The general hurried towards the temple where the master rested. Furious, the general drew the sword from him and held it close to his face, yelling at him that if he did not realize that he was simply standing in front of who could pierce him in an instant. With total tranquility, the old master replied that precisely the general was before someone who could be crossed in an instant. The general, surprised and confused, ended up bowing to him and leaving the place. "

This short story reflects the quality of emotional self-control and the value of having the ability to remain calm in any circumstance. The point is that anything can happen to us at any time, and getting upset about it doesn't lead to anything.

5. The fox and the grapes

“Once upon a time there was a fox that walked thirsty through the forest. As he did so he saw at the top of a tree branch a bunch of grapes, which he instantly desired as they served him to refresh himself and quench his thirst. The fox approached the tree and tried to reach for the grapes, but they were too high. After trying again and again without success, the fox finally gave up and walked away. Seeing that a bird had seen the whole process he told himself aloud that he really did not want the grapes, given that they were not yet ripe, and that the attempt to reach them had actually ceased. check it out. "

Another interesting short story in fable form that teaches us that we often try to convince ourselves not to want something and even come to despise said something because we find it difficult to achieve it.

6. The wolf and the crane

“Once upon a time there was a wolf which, eating meat, suffered a bone jam in his throat. This began to swell and generate great pain, the wolf running desperately trying to get it out or find help. On his way he found a crane, to which after explaining the situation he begged for help, promising to give her whatever she asked for. Despite his distrust, the crane accepted on the condition that the wolf comply with the agreement. The bird proceeded to thrust its head down its throat, causing the bone to dislodge. He withdrew and watched as the wolf recovered, now being able to breathe normally, after which he asked her to fulfill her promise. However, the wolf replied that enough reward was not to have devoured it despite having had it between his teeth. "

This fable of Aesop (although there is also a version in the Indian tradition that instead of a wolf the animal in distress is a lion), teaches us that we cannot always trust what others say and promise us, since there will be those who will be ungrateful to us or even those who will lie to us and manipulate us to achieve his purposes without valuing their own effort.

7. The old man, the boy and the donkey

“Once upon a time there was a grandfather and a grandson who decided to go on a journey together with a donkey. Initially the old man made the boy ride the animal, so that he would not tire. However, when arriving at a village, the locals began to comment and criticize that the old man had to go to the foot while the child, younger and more vital, was mounted. The criticism finally made grandfather and grandson change positions, now the old man riding the donkey and the child walking alongside.

However, as they passed a second village, the locals shouted to heaven that the poor boy was walking while the older man was comfortably mounted. They both decided then to ride the animal. But when they reached a third village, the villagers criticized both of them, accusing them of overloading the poor donkey.

Given this, the old man and his grandson decided to both go on foot, walking next to the animal. But in a fourth town they were laughed at, since they had a mount and none of them rode in it. The grandfather took advantage of the situation to make his grandson see the fact that, whatever they did, always there would be someone who would think it wrong and that the important thing was not what others said, but what a same."

This traditional tale teaches us to keep in mind that we must be true to ourselves, and whatever we do there will be someone who does not like and criticizes us: we cannot like everyone, and we should not be obsessed with pleasing others.

8. Hidden happiness

“At the beginning of time, before humanity populated the Earth, the different gods met in order to prepare the creation of the human being, in the image and likeness of him. However, one of them realized that if they made them exactly the same as them, in reality would be creating new gods, so they should take something away from him in such a way that it would differ from they. After thinking about it carefully, another of those present proposed to take away their happiness and hide it in a place where they could never find it.

Another of them proposed to hide it in the highest mountain, but they realized that by having strength, humanity could go up and find it. Another proposed that they hide it under the sea, but since humanity would be curious he could build something to reach the depths of the sea and find it. A third proposed to bring happiness to a distant planet, but others concluded that since the human being will have intelligence, he will be able to build spaceships that can reach it.

The last of the gods, who had remained silent until then, took the floor to indicate that he knew a place where he did not they would find: he proposed that they hide happiness within the human being himself, in such a way that he would be so busy looking outside that he would never he would find her. All being in agreement with it, they did so. This is the reason why the human being spends his life looking for happiness, without knowing that he really is in himself. "

This beautiful story in the form of a tale reflects something that is very present in today's society: we tend to constantly seek happiness as if it were something external that we can achieve, when in fact we find it precisely when we are not looking for it but enjoying the here and now.

9. The bird victim of goodness

“There was once a seagull, which flew down to one of the suburbs of the capital of Lu. The Marquis of the The area worked hard to entertain her and welcome her in the temple, preparing for her the best music and great sacrifices. However, the bird was stunned and sad, not tasting the meat or the wine. Three days later he died. The Marquis de Lu entertained the seagull as he would have liked to be, not as the bird would have liked "

This short story tells us something very important: we often do not take into account that our needs and tastes do not have to be the same as those of others (and in fact can be directly opposite to their own), being necessary that we pay attention to what the other needs in order to really help you or entertain you.

10. The Wise Old Man's Lost Horse

“Once upon a time there was an old peasant man of great wisdom, who lived with his son and who owned a horse. One day the steed escaped from the place, something that made the neighbors go to console them for their bad luck. But before his words of consolation, the old peasant replied that the only true thing is that the horse had escaped, and if that was good or bad luck would be the time that would dictate it.

Shortly after, the horse returned to its owners, accompanied by a beautiful mare. Neighbors ran to congratulate him on his good luck. However, the old man replied that in reality the only thing that was true was that the horse had returned with the mare, and if this was good or bad, time would tell.

Some time later, the peasant's son tried to mount the mare, still wild, in such a way that he fell from the saddle and broke his leg. According to the doctor, the rutpura would cause a permanent limp. The neighbors again comforted both of them, but also on this occasion the old peasant would dictate that he The only truth that was known was that his son had broken her leg, and that whether it was good or bad was still to be found. be seen.

Finally, a day came when a bloody war broke out in the region. All the young men were recruited, but when the soldiers who went to They decided that he was not fit for combat, something that caused him not to be recruited and could remain without fight.

The reflection that the old man made his son see based on everything that happened is that the facts are not good or bad in themselves, but rather our expectations and perception of them: the flight of the horse brought the mare, which in turn broke his leg and also led to a permanent limp was what now saved him life."

This well-known story, quite self-explanatory, tells us how our consideration and assessment of what happens to us can sometimes be biased, since the event itself is neither good nor bad per se, and how what we sometimes see as something positive or negative can take us to unexpected places.

11. The lame and the blind

“There was once a lame man and a blind man who were walking together when they encountered a river, which both had to cross. The lame man told the blind man that he could not reach the other shore, to which the blind man replied that he could pass but in the absence of his vision he could slip.

Given this, they came up with a great idea: the blind man would be the one who would lead the march and support both with his legs, while the lame man would be the eyes of both and could guide them both during the crossing. As the lame man climbed over the blind man, they both proceeded to carefully cross the river, succeeding and reaching the other bank without difficulties. "

This little story, which has other variants (such as that instead of crossing a river they both have to escape from a fire), helps us to understand the importance of collaborating and cooperating with others, something that allows everyone to join forces to achieve a common project.

12. The legend of Toro Bravo and Nube Azul

“A Sioux legend has it that there was once a young couple formed by Toro Bravo and Nube Azul, who loved each other deeply. Wanting to remain together forever, both went to the elder of the tribe in order to provide them with a talisman to always be together.

The old man directed the young Blue Cloud to go alone to the northern mountain and catch the best hawk that lived there, while Toro Bravo was directed to the southern mountain to catch the eagle more powerful. Both young men tried hard and each managed to capture the best bird in each of the mountains.

This done, the old man told them to tie the legs of the hawk and the eagle together and then let them fly free. They did so, but when both birds were tied they fell to the ground without being able to fly normally. After several attempts, both began to attack each other. The old man made the couple see this, and indicated that the talisman was the learning that they should fly together, but never tied down if they did not want to end up hurting each other. "

This legend of the Sioux tries to make us see that love does not imply being always and at all times together to the point of depending on each other, but rather we must learn to share our life while preserving our individuality and do not promote attitudes of dependency or codependency.

13. The Sand and the Stone

“Once upon a time, there were two friends who were walking through the desert, having lost their camels and having spent days without eating anything. One day, an argument arose between them in which one of the two rebuked the other for having chosen the wrong route (although the decision had been joint) and in a fit of anger he gave her a slap. The victim did not say anything, but he wrote in the sand that on that day his best friend had slapped him (a reaction that surprised the former).

Later both arrived at an oasis, in which they decided to bathe. They were in it when the previously attacked began to drown, to which the other responded by rescuing him. The young man thanked him for his help and later, with a knife, wrote on a stone that his best friend had saved his life.

The first, curious, asked his partner why when he had hit her he had written in the sand and now he was doing it on a stone. The second smiled at him and replied that when someone did something bad to him he would try to write it on the sand so that the mark erased by the wind, while when someone did something good he preferred to leave it engraved in stone, where it will remain for forever."

This beautiful legend of Arab origin tells us that what we must value and keep fresh in our memory are the good things that others doWhile the marks left by the bad ones, we must try to blur them and forgive them over time.

14. The fox and the tiger

“Once upon a time, there was a huge tiger that hunted in the forests of China. The powerful animal ran into and began to attack a small fox, which in the face of danger only had the option of resorting to cunning. Thus, the fox rebuked him and indicated that he did not know how to harm him since he was the king of animals by design of the emperor of heaven.

He also indicated that if he did not believe him he would accompany him: so he would see how all the animals fled in fear when they saw him arrive. The tiger did so, observing in effect how the animals escaped as he went. What he did not know was that this was not because they were confirming the fox's words (something the tiger came to believe), but that they were actually fleeing from the feline's presence. "

This fable of Chinese origin teaches us that intelligence and cunning are much more useful than mere physical might or strength.

15. The two hawks

“Once upon a time there was a king who loved animals, and one day he received two beautiful baby hawks as a gift. The king handed them over to a master falconer to feed, care for and train. He passed the time and after a few months in which the hawks grew the falconer asked for an audience with the king to explain that although one of The hawks had already taken flight normally, the other had remained on the same branch since he arrived, not taking flight at any time. moment. This greatly concerned the king, who called in multiple experts to solve the problem of the bird. Unsuccessfully.

Desperate, he decided to offer a reward to whoever made the bird fly. The next day the king could see how the bird was no longer on his branch, but was flying freely through the region. The sovereign sent for the author of such a prodigy, finding that the one who had achieved it was a young peasant. Shortly before handing him his reward, the king asked him how he had achieved it. The peasant replied that he had simply snapped the branch, leaving the falcon no choice but to fly. "

A short story that helps us to understand that sometimes we believe we are incapable of doing things out of fear, despite the fact that experience shows more than often that deep down we do have the ability to achieve them: the bird did not trust its possibilities to fly but once it was put to the test, it had no choice but to try, something that led to its success.

Bibliographic references:

• Jacobs, J. (2016). Fables and legends of India. Quaterni Publishing House. Madrid Spain.
• UNHCR UNHCR. (2017). Moral tales of ancient China [Online]. Available in: https://eacnur.org/blog/cuentos-moraleja-la-antigua-china/
• TONES. (2005) Ancient Fables of China. TONES. Electronic Journal of Philological Studies, 10. [On-line]. Available in: https://www.um.es/tonosdigital/znum10/secciones/tri-fabulas.htm#_ftn6