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Looking for a steady supply of happy short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

2950+ Happy Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. A good story doesn’t need a devastating twist. Nor does it have to plumb the darkest depths of the human conditions. These happy short stories might be exactly what you’re looking for in these uncertain times.

Happy Short Stories – Page 14 of 197

TALK FOR TWO

Submitted to Contest #280

<The Banters are back! We hope you’ve missed their silly bantering. They’ve been gone a long while but they couldn’t resist a dialogue-only prompt…their favorite writing style! Enjoy!>Matthew, do you think I’m frumpy?Do I think you’re grumpy, Martha? Sure, sometimes…No, Matthew. I asked if you think I’m frumpy. FR not GR! Geez, I swear that new hearing aid we got you is no better than the previous one, and this one cost a fortune.I can’t help it Martha if they don’t make hearing aids that are perfect for my ears! You speak so fast and ...

25 likes 26 comments 26
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Music Your Blues Away

Submitted to Contest #280

“What are you listening to?” “Bruno Mars.” “Yeah, I like Bruno Mars too, but what’s your favorite type of music?” “My absolute favorite is seventies music.”“Classic Rock?” “Yes. But I really love disco.” “Disco?! Seriously?”“Yeah. Don’t make fun of me. It has excitement and exhilaration.”“I can say the same thing about classic rock. There’s nothing like it.”“Yeah, but you can’t dance to rock music. It has movement and power.”“You can play any instrument you want, and you don’t have to know how to play.”“I don’t get that.”“But how can you lik...

7 likes 2 comments 2
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Listening to Pets

Submitted to Contest #280

Yippee, it’s time to play Ugh! This belly is so bouncy I like jumping on here. Wow, look at that big fat toe move when I bounce. Shh Mama is sleeping. Hey come over here and look out this window.  Let me grab this first. Leave my tail alone. Not your tail, this toe. It is wiggling and calling to me. Oh look there is a deer in the yard. We should let the neighborhood know.  I said leave my tail alone. But the toe disappeared.  Good morning neighborhood. We have a visitor here today.  Here comes Beau, he’ll make sure the de...

4 likes 2 comments 2
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Presidential talk

Submitted to Contest #280

“Well, Bob it seems like we're all in a very awkward position.” “Yes, Kelly. I hope you're happy now that you're president the of United States.” “No, I am not because now you are also president the of United States. The election ended in a complete draw and now we were both sworn in as president. How does that even happen?” “I'm not really sure but nobody is bothering to question it so like it or not we have to share the job. Turns out Congress and the Senate is now completely split down the middle with this election.” “Well, I guess we nee...

6 likes 1 comment 1
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"Turning Back Time for Christmas"

Submitted to Contest #280

The golden light of a late Christmas Eve afternoon spilled through the frosted windows of Santa’s workshop. Inside, the air buzzed with the hum of machinery and the bustling movements of elves. Tiny hands-wrapped gifts, tested toys, and added the final magical touches. The scents of peppermint, freshly cut wood, and cinnamon mingled in the air, creating a symphony of holiday cheer. Santa Claus entered, his boots clicking softly on the polished wooden floor. His crimson coat sparkled faintly as his sharp blue eyes scanned the room. Everything...

11 likes 4 comments 4
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Ice Cream Boys

Submitted to Contest #280

Aloha! You got ice cream last night, right?Yeah, I did. How did you know that?I work at the ice cream shop. Butter pecan, right? Right— Well, what should we do today?I dunno, what do you want to do?I dunno.What do you want to do?I don’t know! I don't even know you two.So?You met me last night, remember! I’m Indy. This is my buddy, Finn.Yeah yeah yeah, what should we do?I just got here last night, and I have lots to do before school starts tomorrow. I think I’m just going to go home and unpack. Maybe we could hang out tomorrow?Tomor...

5 likes 0 comments 0
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The Chat

Submitted to Contest #280

“At the end of the day,” I look out over the vibrant, green valley and I take it all in. I read the landscape and I listen to it. I feel it within me, and not for the first time I wonder whether it is real, or just something my unconscious projects before me in order to make this life bearable, “it’s a beautiful world.” I sit in the noisy silence of the hilltop and allow myself just to be. The rest of the words spill out of me with my next exhalation, “at the beginning of the day, it’s also a beautiful world. Trouble is, we busy ourselves to...

16 likes 11 comments 11
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THE HORIZON IS FLAT, AND SO ARE MY HOPES

Submitted to Contest #280

Hello, Steve, it's me.Ralph, why are you calling me at - hold on, let me check the time - two in the morning?Because I was up thinking, and I realized something important. This can't wait.This had better not be another one of your flat Earth rants.It's not a rant, Steve. It's a logical discussion about the truth.The truth is that you think the Earth is flat.Not think. Know. The Earth is flat, Steve; deep down, you know it too.Here we go.Answer me this. If the Earth is spinning at a thousand miles per hour, why don't we feel it?Because we're ...

21 likes 22 comments 22
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This Is It

Submitted to Contest #279

Oh no. No! No, no, no, this can't be happening! How'd he catch up to me so fast? I didn't even realize what he'd done until I accidentally kicked him. When did he even do it? I swear I didn't feel a thing until I looked down and saw my hand. Is there some kind of anti-venom available? A vaccine? What if I just used a tourniquet and poured bleach on it. Would that be enough? Who am I kidding? Even if there was medicine, there's no way our bullshit healthcare would let poor folk have it. And even if they did, you know they'd charge an arm and...

6 likes 0 comments 0
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Grandma’s Cake

Submitted to Contest #278

“You made Grandma’s cake?”The words slashed through the Thanksgiving chatter like the first cold, unexpected blow of a storm wind on a sunny day. Three siblings, their spouses, their six children, plus the siblings’ parents - fourteen souls altogether - had made it through dinner in peaceful harmony; but that came to an abrupt, and maybe not so surprising halt, at dessert time.“Come on guys, this is not the time…” Darian begged, his gaze trailing from his younger brother to his younger sister. But Frances held the cake up high, and her chin ...

10 likes 6 comments 6
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The Truth

Submitted to Contest #278

Let’s start with the scene of the crime. It’s Sunday afternoon and my parents have just returned from an outing. My sister Roxy greets them at the door. Her tail is wagging so hard her whole body shakes. As my parents turn to face the kitchen, they spot my brother Bj lounging on the table. He is tapping his tail with a look of disgust on his face. They take their shoes off and head into the family room where they find their favorite pet (that’s me). Dog treats lay all over the floor and I am doing my best to eat every single one! “Josie, wha...

19 likes 17 comments 17
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Too-Cute Apologies

Submitted to Contest #278

Too-Cute Apology “Good morning, Sunshine!” Russell nudged Chrissy as she opened her eyes and started a long cat-like stretch.“Aren't you cheerful this morning? To what do you contribute such a blissful attitude?”“It is Thanksgiving Day and I have an abundance of blessings for which to be grateful. Foremost my beautiful wife and the two miracles she is carrying in her incredibly appealing hot bod!”“You mean this round beach ball I'm tumbling about on? The one that makes me extra clumsy and incapable of walking more than a few steps or incapab...

27 likes 12 comments 12
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Letter from the Past

Submitted to Contest #278

The Journal Entry to the Past, Part 1233 This letter is the intellectual property of Sam Ferrato, created in the year 2179 in the State of Northern California. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of its contents is strictly prohibited. It’s time for yet another letter to the past, maybe this one will get to the right address, right person and hopefully right time. “Hey, Elliot! It’s me, Sam! Writing into nothing as always, hoping that maybe one day, the future will be futuristic enough for us to talk at least one more t...

10 likes 1 comment 1
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The Bropeachment

Submitted to Contest #278

“We need to arrange a family meeting,” Mom declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. She set about calling and texting our relatives, inviting them to come to our place. Blessed with a commanding presence, combined with the intellectual heft of a well-trained lawyer, people tended to do what she asked. I had to track down Jason, who had moved into the UW dorm last year, and talk him into attending.On Sunday, all my aunts and uncles sat around our living room, sipping their diet sodas and glasses of white wine, and trying to figure out...

24 likes 19 comments 19
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LAUGH OUT LOUD: DEATHBED DIARIES

Submitted to Contest #278

Opening Scene:(The stage bathes in an ominous glow, pulsating with a kaleidoscope of neon lights. Tombstones scattered across the set flicker to life with words like "Secrets Never Rest" and “Confessions From Beyond." Thick fog rolls across the floor, curling around the glowing props like ghostly fingers, as an eerie, remixed version of Another One Bites the Dust pumps through the speakers, warped into a chilling tune. The atmosphere screams macabre spectacle. Suddenly, from the swirling mist, Morty Mirth appears — a skeleton host with razor...

23 likes 8 comments 8
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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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