A Little Book of Great Short Stories

By Bettye Favors

Short stories can be enjoyable, entertaining as well as stimulating for the mind. When short stories are read and discussed in a group session or a classroom, they generate discussion, open communication and various opinions amongst the group. Each story has its own moral lesson, but each reader may discover that their ideas may differ vastly from what the writer intended.
Short stories can be read in less than 10 minutes but the moral of the story can linger in the mind for a lifetime. Don’t underestimate the power of short stories. When you share a short story the listener may identify with aspects of the story and experience a moment of an emotional change. Your story can serve as a seed that will bring forth good fruit in its season.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664153257

Book preview

2.

The Painting

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A deceased wealthy man left all of his valuable paintings, his household, goods and his mansion to be auctioned off following his death. His beloved son who had suffered with bad health had preceded his father in death. A huge crowd attended the auction. They were all waiting with anticipation and excitement for the auction to begin, but first, the auctioneers stood at the podium and read a statement written by the deceased. It read as follows: Before the auctioning of my mansion and all of its valuable items, I wish to have the painting of my beloved son to be the first item to be auctioned. The auctioneer lifted the painting of the son and started the bidding. The price started at $2000. The painting was unattractive and unpleasant to the eyes. It was obvious that the lad’s unhealthy condition had taken its toll on his frail and weak body. No one in the audience responded to the auctioneer as he began to lower the auction price from $2000 to $1000, then $500, until finally he asked for $100. The house butler was seated in the back of the room. Although he had only $30 in his pocket, he wanted to own that painting. He recalled when the boy was young and healthy and energetic, and full of life and love. He remembered how kind and gentle the boy was, and how he was so full of joy and laughter. Everyone in the household loved him. Finally, the butler seeing that no one in the audience was interested in the painting, the butler decided to bid. Thirty dollars, he yelled. The audience laughed as the auctioneer responded: sold to the gentleman for thirty dollars. Now, the auction could begin. But before the auctioneer could begin to auction off all the items, the real estate attorney held in his hand a letter that was to be read to the audience after the painting of his son had been sold. The mood was intense as the auctioneer read the letter: Be it known that the person who purchases the painting of my beloved son, I leave to them all of my other valuable paintings, my furniture, my household items, and my mansion, and my property. I have one request that they return the painting of my son to the walls in the hallway. Signed, Edgar W. Cardwell.

3.

The Search

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A young man approached the bishop of a church and asked him if he could help him find God. He said that he had traveled to China, to