Story Writing 

STORY TELLING IS AN ART 

It is a rare gift. Of recent years there has been a good deal of theorizing about Short Story as an art form. These theorists have framed many rules to help the beginner, but as far as the practical art of writing concerned, they are of little importance. To tell a story well a long practice required. An exceptionally gifted Story-teller may build an interesting story out of an ordinary situation. This is what Poe or O. Henry does. But a young student need not be so ambitious. The examiner wants just a readable narrative with some kind of plot in which main points are arranged in a proper order. 

To write a good story, you must plan it out in your mind and then arrange the events in the order of time in which they occurred. If events are narrated in the wrong sequence, it will spoil the coherence or unity of the story.

SOME IMPORTANT HINTS

1. Make an outline of the story with a clear idea of the plot and the main characters contained in the story. 

2. Keep as closely as possible to the outline given. Do not introduce irrelevant (unnecessary) details nor omit any point given in the outline. Do not upset the order in which the points are given in the outline. 

3. Connect the points given in the outline in a smooth and natural way so that the whole may be read as a connected piece of good writing. Undue stress on minor points should be avoided at all costs; otherwise it will interfere with the main interest of the story. 

4. Be careful to see that the beginning and end of your story are natural and striking. Avoid a long introduction unless it helps building up a 'suitable atmosphere'. It is always better to plunge into the story straightway. 

5. The interest created in the beginning of the story must be held throughout. The events should be mentioned in such a way as to create an attitude of expectation in the reader. Make the end an interesting surprise for the reader. An ideal ending is that which is unexpected and yet convincing. 

6 Dialogues, when they are natural in tone and setting, (the atmosphere is called the setting of a story) add to the interest of a story. But don't make these dialogues long and boring.

7. Do not give a moral unless you are asked to do so. if you have told a story well, the moral will take care of itself. 

8. Always tell the story in the past tense, even if the outlines are given in the present tense. except when otherwise desired. 

9. Lastly, a story should be always brief. A Short Story is essentially short. 

THE LION AND THE MOUSE 

Outline 

A lion sleeping soundly --- awakened by a mouse --- prays for its life --- the lion spares its life --- the lion caught in a hunter's net --- mouse gnaws away ropes - lion set free. 

The Story 

One hot summer day a lion was sleeping soundly under a banyan tree in a forest. An idle mouse, who was almost half-asleep ran across his body and woke him up. The lion, being very angry at the audacity of the mouse, seized it. "You little fool!" he said angrily, and was about to trample it down when it began to plead for its life saying, "Please forgive me and spare my life. I shall certainly pay back your kindness one day." The lion was certainly amused at this self-importance of the little mouse. He laughed and said, "You - you will do something for me! What a nice way of paying me back!" But all the same he let it go. 

The mouse jumped back to its hole, thanking his stars all the way. The time went on. One day the Iion was caught in the meshes of a net which had been set by a hunter to catch a gazelle. The lion struggled hard to free himself, but all in vain. He set up a loud roar with unavailing fury. The mouse who was lying in the shade almost jumped out of its skin. He rushed to the spot and found the lion in a miserable plight. It got busy biting the ropes with its sharp teeth. At last the ropes were cut and the Iion jumped out of the net He thanked the mouse for this good turn and walked away.

Moral:

An act of kindness is never wasted.

GOOD OUT OF EVIL 

Outline 

A merchant riding home from a fair --- a bag full of money --- reaches a forest --- caught in a heavy downpour --- the merchant gets wet and grumbles at the wet weather --- curses his luck --- shortly after meets an armed highway man --- the robber trees to shoot but fails --- the gunpowder damp --- the merchant escapes. 

The Story 

Sultan had a fine day. He had sold out his goods and was riding home in high spirits from the fair. His bag was full of money and presents for his children. "Little guddo will simply weep with joy at her earrings", he loudly said to himself and spurred the horse. After a few minutes' hard riding he came to dense forest. 

As he entered the forest the sky became overcast with clouds. It began drizzling. He became anxious about himself. The way was long and the day was already setting. In a few minutes it began to rain heavily. Poor Sultan was drenched to the skin So he began to grumble at the wet weather and cursed his fate. 

As he was thinking to himself, a highwayman, armed with a gun, came out of an ambush and stood before him. On seeing him the merchant was frightened nearly out of his wits. "Your life or money!" barked the robber. Sultan spurred his horse. The robber levelled the gun at him and fired; but the gun would not go off, or the gunpowder had been wetted by the rain. This is how Sultan made good his escape. 

A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE 

Outline 

Midnight -- a thief enters my room -- I wake up -- he attacks with a knife -- I defend with a pillow -- shoot him with the revolver, he is about to die -- report to the police -- taken to hospital -- gets well -- is imprisoned -- returns -- becomes my friend. 

The Story 

It was a cold night of December. At about midnight I finished 'The Treasure Island" and went to sleep. Within a few minutes I was out on the sea in the company of Jim and Long John Silver. Suddenly something jumped from the window into the room. Was it dream or reality? But when I opened my eyes I found a shadow lurking in the corner. I switched on the bed-light. It was a big, burly thief with a knife in his hand. "A thief, a thief!" I cried out. He rushed towards me with the shining knife in his hand. Before I could lay my hands on my pistol he was almost upon me. It was a grave situation, but I had my wits about me. I hurriedly picked up my pillow and raised it a shield to take the knife on it. Down went the sharp blade into the fluffy cotton. But before he could Pull it out, I had my pistol in my hand. I fired point-blank and hit him in the head. 

The thief fell down on the floor, and red blood rushed out of his temple. He was lying senseless. I rang up the city police station. A police sub-Inspector came within a few minutes. The thief was carried to the hospital. For a few days he hung between life and death, but then he began to show signs of improvement. 

After a month he was out of hospital. The police challan was sent to the court and he was sentenced to 2 years' rigorous imprisonment.

I was married now. One day when I was sitting with Zinat in my drawing-room, a bearded man came in. "Babuji. do you know me?" "Yes I know that scar on your temple. Are you Rahima '?" "I am that, sir! I have come to ask your forgiveness." I readily forgave him. Now Rahima is a changed man. We are good friends.

 HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY 

Outline 

A woodcutter cutting a tree ...... axe falls into the river ..... weeps ..... a god appears .... dives into the river ..... shows a golden axe ..... "not mine" ..... silver axe ..... "not mine" ..... show him his iron axe .... takes it ..... gets the other two as reward for his honesty. 

The Story 

Once there was a woodcutter. The woodcutter daily went to the jungle, cut wood, sold them and earned money. One day he was cutting wood near the bank of a stream. By chance, his axe slipped, fell into the river and was lost. He was very sad because he did not know how to swim. He began to weep over his loss suddenly a angel Mercury appeared there and asked what the matter was. The woodcutter said. "My axe fell into the rive. I do not know how I will earn my bread without an axe". Angel Mercury was moved to hear this. He jumped into the stream and dived into deep water. After a while, he brought out a golden axe. The woodcutter refused to accept it. He dived again and brought out a silver axe. The woodcutter was not ready to accept it also. The angel dived for the third time and brought an iron axe. "Here comes mine!" the woodcutter cried with joy. The angel was very much pleased with the woodcutter at his honesty. The angel give him the other two axes also, as a reward for his honesty. 

Moral 

(i) Honesty is the best policy. 

(ii) Honesty never goes un-rewarded.

UNION IS STRENGTH 

Outline 

An old farmer falls ill .... near his death .... his sons quarrel with one another .... gets a number of sticks .... makes a bundle .... asks them to break off it .... no one succeeds .... unties the bundle .... asks them to try again ... all the sticks broken .... advises.

The Story 

Once an old farmer had three sons. They always quarrelled among themselves. The old man tried his best to unite them but in vain. When the old farmer was on his death-bed, he sent for his sons. The old farmer had a bundle of sticks with him. He said to his sons. Here are a bundle of sticks. I want to know who can break it. The youngest brother tried first, but failed. Then came forward the elder brother. He too could not break the bundle. In the end the eldest tried to succeed but no avail. They were much ashamed. The old man said to their, "Now untie the bundle and try to break the sticks; one by one". It was quite easy now. The boys broke all the sticks one by one. It was a time for the old man to advise them. He said, " My sons! You have seen that sticks were strong when tied together and weak when they were untied. So, similarly you will be strong when you are united. You will be ruined or destroyed if you are separated from one another". These words effected the farmer's sons. They never quarrelled after their father's death. 

Moral 

(i) Union is strength. 

(ii) United you stand, divided you fall. 

THE SLAVE AND THE LION 

Outline 

The slave of a cruel master ... runs away .... goes, into a jungle .... hears a lion's groan .... removes a thorn from Its paw .... the slave arrested .... put before a lion .... the same lion ... it licks feet .... is set free.

The story: 

Once there was a slave. His master was very cruel. He made the slave work day and night and gave him very little food. The slave could not bear such a difficult life. One day he stole away to a jungle. He hid himself in a lonely cave, and went to sleep. A lion also found his way there. He was moaning with pain. The slave was awakened. He was about to run away, but he saw the swollen paw of the lion. There was a big thorn in the lion's paw. The slave took heart and went near the lion and took out the thorn from it's paw. The lion felt relief and went, away. After' a few days the slave was arrested. He was punished to be thrown before a hungry lion. On the fixed day, the slave was thrown into an arena. A hungry lion was let loose upon the slave. The lion rushed at him, but the next moment he began to lick the slave's feet. All the people were taken aback. In fact, this was the same lion that met the slave in the jungle. The slave was also set free for his kindness. 

Moral 

(i) One good turn deserves another. 

(ii) Do good and have good. 

(iii) Kindness never goes un-rewarded.

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE 

Outline 

A hare and tortoise friends .... hare challenges the tortoise to run a race .... the top of a hill fixed as destination .... hare sleeps on the way ... tortoise continues .... the tortoise wins.

The Story: 

Once there was a time a hare and a tortoise lived in a jungle. They were fast friends. The hare was very proud of his fast speed and he used to laugh at the laziness of the tortoise. One day the tortoise mind it and challenged the hare to run a race. The hare laughed to hear this, and accepted the challenge. They fixed the top of a distant hill as the destination. The race started on the appointed day. The hare ran very fast and soon he was out of sight. On the way of their destination the hare thought, "the tortoise will be far behind me, take rest for a while". Thinking this, he lay down under a cool shady tree and was fast asleep. The tortoise could not run fast, but he did not lose heart. The tortoise walked on slowly but steadily. He saw the hare sleeping on the way but he passed him silently. The tortoise was dead tired but he did not stop.

At last, he reached the winning post. After a long time the hare woke up. The sun was setting and he wasted the whole day in sleeping. Hare thought that the tortoise would be stIll far behind. He ran as fast as could. When he reached the winning post, he was much ashamed to find the tortoise there. He decided not to make fun of his friend again. 

Moral :

(i) Slow and steady wins the race. 

(ii) Never make fun of others. 

(iii) Pride hath a fall. 

THE FOOLISH STAG 

Outline:

A pool of water ... a stag drinking water ... sees his reflection ... admires his beautiful horns .... dislikes his thin legs .... catches sight of hounds .... runs .... caught in a bush overtaken by hounds .... dying thoughts. 

The Story:

Once there was a stag in the forest. One day he went to a pool for drinking water. The water in the pool was very neat and clear. The stag saw his own reflection in the pool's water. He was very pleased to see his beautiful horns and admired them. He also saw his thin and lean legs in the water. He disliked them. All of a sudden, the stag heard the hunter's horse and the howls of hounds. A pack of hunting dogs was coming towards him. The stag was filled with fear. The stag ran very fast to save his life. His thin , lean and ugly legs were of great help to him. They carried him away from the hunters and the hounds. While the stag was running, he passed through bushes. Unfortunately, his long and beautiful horns were caught up in one of the bushes. He struggled very hard to get free but all in vain. Soon he was overtaken by the dogs. His beautiful horns of which he was so proud brought about his death. The dogs fell upon him and tore him into pieces. 

Moral: 

(i) All that glitters is not gold. 

(ii) Appearances are often deceptive. 

(iii) Pride hath a fall. 

A DOG AND HIS REFLECTION 

Outline 

A hungry dog .... steals a piece of meat .... crosses a stream .... sees his reflection in the water ..... takes for another dog with a larger piece ..... decides to snatch it .... jumps into the stream .... opens his mouth .... loses his own piece. 

The Story 

Once a dog was very hungry. He went to a butcher's shop and soon stole a large piece of meat. He ran to the jungle to find a safe place to eat it. He wanted to enjoy this piece of meat alone. After a short time, he reached a stream. There was narrow bridge over the stream. The dog began to cross the bridge. In the middle of the bridge, he stopped for a while and looked into the stream. He saw his own reflection in the stream's water. He took it for another dog with a big piece of meat in his mouth. The dog was very greedy. He at once, decided to snatch the piece of meat from that dog in the water. He barked at the dog in the water. But as soon as he opened his mouth, his own piece of meat fell into the stream. This made him more angry. He jumped into the water to snatch the piece of meat and fight with that dog. As he did so, the reflection of other's dog in the water disappeared. He could find neither the dog nor his own piece of meat in water. At last he had to go home hungry. 

Moral: 

(i) Do not be greedy. Or Greed is a curse. 

(ii) Something is better than nothing. 

(iii) All covet, all lost. 

A THIRSTY CROW 

Outline:

A thirsty crow .... searches for water .... finds a pitcher .... water too low .... thinks of a plan... throws pebbles in it ...... water rises up .... drinks it and is satisfied. 

The Story:

It was a hot summer noon. A crow felt very thirty. He flew here and there in search of water, but he could not find any in the neighbourhood. All of a sudden, he caught sight of a pitcher on the roof of a house. The crow flew up to it and found it half fulll of water. He tried to drink water but could not succeed.

The water was a bit low from him. First, he was disappointed because he did not know how to quench his thirst. But he did not lose heart and thought of a plan. He flew to the nearest hill and returned with a small pebble in his beak. He dropped it into the pitcher of water and flew away to bring another. In this way, he dropped while it rose to the mouth of the pitcher. Now the crow drank it and flew away happily. 

Moral 

(i) Necessity is the mother of invention. 

(ii) Where there is a will there is a way. 

(iii) God helps those who help themselves. 

THE MILLER AND THE DONKEY 

Outline 

A miller and his son .... drive their donkey .... none riding .... laughed at .... boy riding, again laughed at .... the old man riding, again laughed at .... both riding, again laughed at .... decide to carry the donkey .... donkey frightens .... falls into the river. 

The Story 

An old miller and his son were taking their donkey to the market for their business. They were walking on foot. When the people saw this, they laughed at old miller and his son and said, "Look at these fools! They have a donkey for ride but do not ride on it". The father asked the son to ride. They had not gone very far, when an old man passed by them. He said that the son should not ride on the donkey when his old miller was on foot. The boy got down. Now the old man rode on the donkey, soon they met a man. He called the old miller unkind to his son. The old miller felt ashamed and asked his son to ride behind him.

Within half an hour they met a group of young boys. They said, You are very cruel to ride on such a weak and faint donkey. Now, it would be better for you and your son to carry this animal". The old miller was ready to please them. The old miller tied the legs of the donkey and carried it on their shoulders. When they were crossing a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and it fell into the river and was drowned. The poor old miller and his son had to suffer a loss. 

Moral 

(I) It is difficult to please everyone. 

(II) There are as many opinions as men. 

A BAG OF GOLD 

Outline:

Three young men journeying together .... a bag full of gold ..... agree to divide it equally .... at hear each wishes to have the whole of it .... feel hunger .... one goes to bring something to eat .... mixes poison .... other two murder him on his return ..... all die. 

The Story:

Once there lived three friends in a village. One day they decided to set out on a journey to earned money. They promised that they helped each other through thick and thin. For a few weeks they had a good time. One day they were passing through a thick forest. They found a bag full of golden coins in the forest. Their joy knew no bounds. They agree to divide it equally among themselves. But each, in his heart wished to have all the coins himself. Soon they felt very hungry. They sent one of them to buy some food to eat from the nearest village. On the way to the village, the man thought that he should kill his two companions and have all the coins himself. So he bought some poison and mixed it into the food. Then he returned to them full of sweet dreams. The other two friends who had stayed in the jungle were also greedy and selfish. In the absence of the third, they had decided to kill him and divide the coins between themselves equally. As the third returned, they attacked him and put him death. Then they ate the poisoned food and died before they could divide the coins. 

Moral:

(i) Greed is a curse. 

(ii) As you sow, so shall you reap. 

(iii) He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself. 

(iv) Tit for tat. 

(v) Evil recoils on the head of the evildoer. 

THE KING AND THE SPIDER 

Outline:

A king defeated .... decides to give up efforts .... hiding from his enemies in a cave .... sees a spider ..... climbing up to the roof of the cave ..... falls many a time ..... does not give up effort ..... the king learnt a lesson ..... again tries ..... get his kingdom. 

The Story 

Robert Bruce was the king of Scotland. He was very brave and courageous. He fought many battles against his enemies. But every time he was defeated. Once he had run for his life. His enemies followed him. He hid himself in a cave. He had decided not to struggle any more. One day he saw a spider in the cave. It had fallen from its cobweb. It was hanging by silken thread. It tried to reach its web, but slipped and fell down on the ground. The spider did not lose heart, and tried again and again. The spider tried to climb up many times, but every time fell. The king thought and said, that the spider would try no more. But he was amazed to see that the spider was ready to attempt for the tenth time. This time it succeeded. It gave the king a new hope. The king said to himself, "If a weak and a small spider can succeed by trying again and again, why should I not"? He came out and gathered his forces. He attacked the enemies and this time he was able to defeat them.

Moral 

(i) Try, try again. 

(ii) No pains, no gains. 

(iii) God helps those who help themselves. 

A STRANGE HEN 

Outline 

A greedy man .... strange hen .... golden eggs ..... impatient wishes to have all the eggs .... makes a plan ..... kills the hen .... opens the stomach .... no egg.

The Story 

There lived a greedy young man in a village He had a strange hen. The strange hen daily laid an egg of solid gold. He sold the egg of that hen at a very high price in market. Within a few months, he became very rich. The people of his village were very much impressed by his riches. He was respected everywhere. But as time passed, that man became more and more greedy. He was so impatient that he couldn't wait for several months or years. He did not wait for that the hen laid eggs one by one. He thought of a plan to fulfil his wish. He wanted to become richest man at once. So one day, he killed the strange hen. The greedy man wanted to get all the eggs at once. As he opened the abdomen of the hen and looked for the eggs. He was much surprised and shocked to find no egg in the abdomen at all. Now he realised his folly. He regretted but he could never get such eggs in future. 

(i) it is no use crying over spilt milk. 

(ii) Greed is a curse. 

(iii) Haste makes waste. 

(iv) All covet, all lost. 

 FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED 

Outline 

Two friends a journey ... a bear .... one climbs on the tree ..... the other lies down as if dead .... the smells and leaves .... the friend comes down .... asks .... beware of selfish friends. 

The Story  

Once two friends went on journey together. They were on foot. They promised to help each other in every situation. One day, both friends were passing through a very dense forest. After a while they saw a big bear coming towards them. The one ran and climbed up a tall tree. He did not care for his friend. The other friend was very confused what to do but he thought a trick. He laid down on the ground and held his breath. He knew that the bear did not harm a dead person. The bear came near to him and sniffed, took the man to be dead and went away. When the bear was out of sight the first came down the tree. By way of joke, he asked his friend what the bear said into his ear. The other man said. "The bear advised me not to trust a fake friend". Saying this he went on his way alone.