Short Story

A short story is usually shorter than a novel. Because in novel there are a bundle of characters but if we talk about a short story, there are only one or two characters.

According to “Edgar Allan Poe”, he says in his essay “The Philosophy of Composition” that a short story must be read in one sitting, anywhere from a half hour to two hours.

Well, normally a short story can range from 1000 to 20,000 words. And because of the shorter length, a short story normally focuses on one major character. One plot, and one theme. On the other hand, a novel has multiple plots, characters, and themes.

A SHORT HISTORY OF SHORT STORY

Short stories came from the oral story tradition. It originally came from epics such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. While in the 14th century in Europe, oral story telling was converted into written stories, mostly with Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Folktales

This type of story passes from generation to generation. It is based on oral tradition with an unknown Author. It can be anytime or anywhere and contains a common theme.

For example- when we start these types of stories we say “Once upon a time”. Also, they have always very common endings like “They lived happily ever after”.

At the end of every folktale typically evil is defeated and the Heroes get a great victory or achievements. Folktales contain universal truth and have the value of time. Sometimes we use folktales to instruct children.

Some of the common examples are Arabian nights, Mullah Naseeruddin, Watayo Faqeer etc.

Fairy tales

These are unbelievable stories featuring Magic, dragons, elves, giants, witches, and supernatural things. These are the stories that are not only untrue but even not Possible to believe. The starting point of these stories is same as Folktales like “Once Upon Time”.

Some popular examples are Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, etc.

Fables

It features animal characters, plants, legendary creatures, or inanimate objects. The purpose of these stories is simply to entertain. It can be 250 words or less than that.

Popular examples are Ant and the Grasshopper, Fox and Grapes, Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, Dog in the Manger, Tortoise and the Hare, Lion and the Mouse, Town Mouse, and Country Mouse.

Myths

“it is derived from the word mythos which means word or, more significantly, story.” it plays a very important role in our society. It tells about religion and different societies. It is found almost in all creatures. We also use this to explain the natural phenomenon of the world, the origin of the people, and so on. The main characters can be animals, deities humans, etc.

Legends

It is one the Genre of Folklore and it is based upon person or events of historical significance. The word was originally a noun meaning a collection or corpus of legend and after this word changed to legendry. The major characters in legend are humans.

Examples are Beowulf, Robin Hood, and King Arthur.

Tall tales

The elements used in the tall tale are unbelievable. Some of the tall tales are based on true stories. Also, the events are told by the narrative in a way that seems to be a part of the story.