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Discover weekly, the best short stories

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

5980+ Inspirational Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. From tales of the miraculous to stories of extraordinary people overcoming incredible odds, you’ll always find something uplifting in our collection of inspirational short stories.

Inspirational Short Stories – Page 302 of 399

Cocoon of life

Submitted to Contest #89

And there I sat, in the cocoon of life, drenched in my own reverie. How cold it was, the breeze, piercing through my bare face. I sat there for three whole days, eating only wild berries and edible leaves. I had to relive every bit of my memory, through the sheer capability of recalling. Recollecting every piece of your life is a pretty gruesome task, at least for those who hold remorse for their actions. Nonetheless, most of the important memories are just going to skip for indeed man is forgetful. I froze. I remembered what Imam al-Shafi s...

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Running with the Zebras, a tale of medical stripes

Submitted to Contest #89

The day had finally come, the car was packed, and we were on the road. It would take just over five hours to arrive but it would change the course of our lives forever. We just didn't know it yet. August 2nd, my dad's birthday, so it was easy to remember. I made sure to call him on our way out. I could tell by his voice that he wasn't feeling well, the strong winds and gloomy clouds weren't the only things dampening the day. We stopped several times letting the kids run around and stretch their legs. I watched with gratitude as my little...

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Enlightened

Submitted to Contest #89

The water was eerily still. Calming. Almost serene. I leaned against the railing of the yacht trying to ignore the blaring music in the background. As usual, I found myself at a party I wasn’t interested in. Except for the booze. That’s a good enough reason to accept the invitation, right? I despise parties. But hey, for unlimited free alcohol, I can fake interest until I pass out. Besides, I’d rather drink around others than be alone at home, drinking myself to sleep, hating myself for not going to a party. The familiar ache gnawed deep ins...

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PREDETERMINED DESTINATIONS ( By A Higher Power)

Submitted to Contest #89

I've made many changes in my life, some good and some bad, but I'm not gonna bore you with all the gruesome details, so I'm just going to go back a few years, to 2016. I was living in Ga, and had been between Ga and TN, for about 10 years. I had gotten homesick and wanted to move back to Ohio. I packed up everything, put it in storage, and just kept out enough for a couple months. Me, my fiance', and our two cats. I had about 1k in my pocket, to get us by, and we headed North on Rte23. Everything went pretty good, but without really having a...

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Fix or Die

Submitted to Contest #89

The phone rings at midnight! It's Chelsea calling. A young teenager and a friend. Jerry pick the call. “Hello Jerry!” “Yes, Chelsea. How are you?” replied Jerry. “I want to die!”  “I can't take it anymore.” “I am taking these pills and die.” “Is there any reason to live? Why do I have more stress than smiling? Does true love exist? Why are men so wicked? He has used me, and now he leaves me for another lady? After all this time, really?” “Please don't do that, Chelsea.”  “Listen to me for a little while.” “Can we talk?” rep...

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Bet on Yourself

Submitted to Contest #89

1 April 2021I quit my job today. Everybody I told about it thought it was an April Fools’ Day prank. I mean why would anyone in their right mind quit a high-paying corporate job that involved travel to places around the world, the opportunity to work with the best minds in Data Science, a diverse team comprising individuals from six countries and a supportive and understanding boss? And I just say, it’s really hard to explain.Would they understand if I explained that corporate life is not for me? Why not, they’d ask in bewilderment.Because I...

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Dive

Submitted to Contest #89

She looked back for the last time, her heart thumping in her chest. And then she jumped. She felt the wind on her face as she fell, the breeze hitting her with a thousand needles, dragging her hair upward. She wanted to close her eyes, her arms splayed out, letting the world rise to greet her. To forget it all, and just stay here, like this, as if nothing had ever changed.  But she also wanted to see every single moment. So she peeled her eyelids apart, the light squeezing between them, the wind streaking tears that rose onto the ...

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Where is Philip?

Submitted to Contest #89

       “Wake up sleepy head; you might miss your flight” “But I want to sleep some more, mom.” Philip, an obviously spoilt and arrogant boy but wealthy. He’s just good at one thing – bad mouthing others especially those below his class. He always teases them and this causes them to feel intimidated. His friend, Jimmy was really good at playing pranks and at the end accuses someone below his class and Philip would enjoy the drama. Philip is a young guy his twenties, his parents decided to send him away for s...

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Ice Cream

Submitted to Contest #89

"What I'm trying to say... is..." I wipe my nose with my shakey hands, ever so slowly. "Good--""Don't worry, Lelani. When you get out of here we can go back to getting ice cream every weekend."I shake my head. The monitor of my heartbeat started to slow its pace, but of course, she doesn't notice."Cassie listen to me," I try, but she won't."Every weekend. I promise. K?" Cassie says, that smile still rolling. "I'll even let you invite your boyfriend, Liam."I almost laugh, but stop myself, because I know it would hurt. Cassie kept ratting on a...

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I want to breathe

Submitted to Contest #89

Content warnings (mention of panic attacks, parental neglect) I have never been more terrified of the unknown.What is written in my future? What darkness do I have to fumble through to reach that flicker of light that will help me hold on to that filmsy thread of will to live?I have heard people consoling each other holding onto the notion that everything has to fall apart in order to fall into its right pattern. And how everything happens for a reason. Does it? Or is it just a silly little lie that we have tried to paint in the fake colour...

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Happiness is the best medicine

Submitted to Contest #89

For most of us, the average day includes a mixture of the things we look forward to and the things we do not look forward to. The girl that I am writing about is my friend, Emily. She is an optimistic 13-year-old girl, who hardly ever cries. She is an adventurous person, so she goes hiking with me every Sunday. Be it rain or shine, she would always show up at my door. My story begins when we were walking back home from school. She was skipping along the sideways of the road, singing a familiar tune, "Mi, Re ,Do ,Re ,Mi ,Mi ,Mi ,Re ,Re ,Re,M...

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Sandeep Maheshwari

Submitted to Contest #89

Sandeep Maheshwari :- Sandeep Maheshwari is a name among millions who struggled, failed and surged ahead in search of success, happiness and contentment. Just like any other middle class guy, he too had a bunch of unclear dreams and a blurred vision of his goals in life. All he had was an undying learning attitude to hold on to. Rowing through ups and downs, it was time that taught him the true meaning of his life. And once discovered, he consistently kept resigning from his comfort zone and to share the secret of his success with the...

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The Boy Who Committed Suicide

Submitted to Contest #89

It was the day of my result. Once again it was the same. I FAILED. No, I was not disheartened. Heartless people don’t get disheartened. Till last night, a wounded, broken heart was there but today’s result didn’t let it exist. I had to do something. After killing my heart ,it was occupying my mind now. I was unable to breathe. I wanted to be out of it. I went to my grandmother’s room. She was sleeping. Slowly, I picked up the tablets and came back to my room. One sleeping pill for each reason – so I started. Fell in love – one Proposed to he...

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The Coma

Submitted to Contest #89

George Romaine walked into the room that his wife occupied with the intention of going upstairs to settle down with a nice book. Home from work the night was drawing to a close and it was his intent to read as he always did at the close of the night. He was a great reader and enjoyed getting lost in a good book to escape from the realities of life but tonight that would have to change. Upon entering the room, he saw that his wife was distressed and distraught, she was on the phone talking to someone and after catching the word accident he ...

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Behind a Thin Disguise

Submitted to Contest #89

Dear Jani, What would it have been like if you hadn’t needed him to place a note in your pocket in case you were found and you couldn’t speak for your actions when they knocked down the door at some motel in Woodland Hills where you fell victim to your old friend, JD? --- “So, where is he?” “… he’s in the ground.” Best Western Motel, West Hollywood, 2011. We’d made it—our first real tour as a band was a 5-stop west coast deal that kicked off right smack in the land of my dreams. My drummer and I got in a day early s...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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