Top Popular English Short Stories, Page 4 on GatherTales

Popular English Short Stories

Pharaoh Neferkare gazes over the ancient city of Memphis at sunset, his royal palace and the distant Great Pyramids standing as symbols of Egypt's grandeur. With concern in his eyes, he contemplates the mysterious dream that has begun to haunt him.

The Tale of the Scarab

A Pharaoh’s quest for immortality leads him to an ancient power guarded by the gods.

Mehrdad, the skilled archer, stands determined on the battlefield near Isfahan, prepared to protect his homeland from impending danger, as dark clouds gather, setting the tone for the epic tale of "The Poisonous Arrow.

The Story of the Poisonous Arrow

An archer’s sacrifice and a kingdom’s salvation in ancient Persia.

The grand Manaus Opera House stands in striking contrast to the lush Amazon rainforest, its colorful dome gleaming under the warm glow of the sunset. This magnificent structure symbolizes the cultural ambition of a city deep in the jungle.

The Tale of the Manaus Opera House

The rise and revival of a grand opera house in the depths of the Amazon rainforest.

Heracles stands resolutely before an ancient Greek temple, wearing the pelt of the Nemean Lion, symbolizing his strength and the first of his legendary Twelve Labors. The vibrant and heroic atmosphere sets the tone for his epic journey of redemption.

The Legend of the Labors of Heracles

The legendary tale of Heracles' impossible labors and his journey to redemption.

An elderly couple walks through a rainy street, heading to visit their son at the sanatorium, their faces lined with worry and sadness, reflecting the somber mood

Signs and Symbols

A poignant tale of parental love, helplessness, and the enigmatic nature of mental illness.

The king, dressed in royal robes, stands at the edge of a forest, observing the hermit digging the earth by his humble hut. The scene captures the beginning of his journey to seek wisdom in Leo Tolstoy’s "Three Questions," set against the backdrop of a peaceful sunset and rolling hills.

Three Questions

A king’s search for wisdom leads him to life-changing truths about time, people, and kindness.

Juan Dahlmann stands alone on a rural Argentine train platform, surrounded by the vast countryside at sunset. The golden light of the fading sun casts long shadows across the platform, marking the beginning of his journey into the south.

The South" by Jorge Luis Borges

A journey into the Argentine south reveals unexpected truths and confrontations.

The moment Steve Wong reveals his ambitious Moon mission plans to his friends in a suburban backyard, under the starry sky. They sit around a table cluttered with engineering tools, listening with a mix of curiosity and disbelief as the adventure begins.

Alan Bean Plus Four

A daring backyard Moon mission turns four dreamers into space explorers.

Esfandiyar, the valiant Persian hero, stands resolute at the start of his perilous journey. With the ancient Persian landscape behind him and the setting sun casting a fiery glow, he is prepared to face the trials ahead in his quest for glory and the throne.

The Legend of the Seven Labors of Esfandiyar

The heroic journey of Esfandiyar as he faces seven impossible labors in his quest for the throne.

The introduction of Mixcoatl, the god of the hunt and stars, standing in the mystical jungle of ancient Mexico, poised with his atlatl beneath a starry sky. The celestial heavens blend seamlessly with the lush vegetation, symbolizing the connection between earth and the cosmos.

The Story of Mixcoatl

Mixcoatl, the god of the hunt, navigates betrayal, cosmic forces, and the birth of empires.

The majestic Bennu bird perches on the sacred Benben stone, illuminated by the rising sun over the Nile, symbolizing the dawn of creation in ancient Egypt.

The Story of the Bennu

A myth of creation and eternal rebirth from the heart of ancient Egypt.

A peaceful Japanese village nestled at the foot of misty, forested mountains, where the presence of yōkai and other ancient mysteries lingers in the shadows.

The Tale of the Hitotsume-kozou

A thrilling journey into Japan’s mystical world of yōkai and demons.

Dionysus stands among satyrs and nymphs, celebrating in the lush hills of ancient Greece, surrounded by grapevines. The lively and joyful atmosphere introduces the story of the god of wine and revelry.

The Legend of Dionysus

The god of revelry and chaos finds his place among the Olympians.

The Sacred Olive Tree of Athens, standing proudly at the foot of the Acropolis, its gnarled roots intertwining with the ancient land, while the Parthenon rises majestically in the background, symbolizing the beginning of a legendary tale.

The Tale of the Sacred Olive Tree of Athens

A divine gift from Athena, the Sacred Olive Tree of Athens stands as a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and prosperity.

An explorer gazes into the heart of the Amazon rainforest at dusk, ready to embark on a perilous journey in search of the fabled Lost City of Z

The Legend of the Lost City of Z

A legendary search for a lost civilization deep in the Amazon.

A young scholar stands in awe before the entrance of the mystical Red Chamber, bathed in an ethereal red glow amidst an ancient forest. Intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes decorate the stone gate, symbolizing the deep mysteries and ancient wisdom hidden within.

The Legend of the Red Chamber

A scholar's journey into the mystical Red Chamber tests his destiny and reveals the power of choice.

The shah and his loyal vizier stand in the palace gardens of ancient Persia, bathed in the golden light of the sunset, discussing the challenges ahead amidst the blooming jasmine and flowing fountains.

The Tale of the Shah and the Vizier

A test of wisdom and loyalty in ancient Persia.

The young boy gazes across the dimly lit street of early 20th-century Dublin, captivated by the distant figure of Mangan’s sister standing in her doorway, as the soft twilight wraps the street in a quiet sense of anticipation and yearning.

Araby

A young boy's journey of youthful infatuation and bitter disillusionment.

Fletcher walks through the dark, foreboding village, where the streets are deserted and the houses seem abandoned, casting a sense of eerie desolation over the scene.

A Village After Dark

A man returns to a hauntingly familiar village and confronts the secrets he tried to forget.

The Greek army stands before the towering walls of Troy, preparing for the long siege that will unfold. The stormy sky mirrors the tension in the air, as both sides brace for the legendary war.

The Tale of the Trojan War

An epic saga of love, betrayal, and war between Greece and Troy.

The Jade Dragon perched on a mountain cliff, while the Golden Phoenix soars above a serene, mystical landscape in ancient China, setting the tone for their legendary tale of love, sacrifice, and balance.

The Story of the Jade Dragon and the Golden Phoenix

A tale of love, sacrifice, and the eternal balance between light and darkness.

In a quiet Japanese village of the 19th century, a warm and mysterious home stands, watched over by a Zashiki-warashi spirit. Its presence hints at the delicate balance between fortune and danger that awaits within.

The Story of the Zashiki-warashi

A family's fortune turns into a haunting mystery when a protective spirit leaves their home.

Atahualpa, the Inca ruler, carried on a golden litter in the grand square of Cajamarca, as Spanish conquistadors approach, setting the stage for the legendary ransom.

The Legend of Atahualpa’s Ransom Room

A legendary deal of gold and betrayal in the heart of the Inca Empire.