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Discover weekly, the best short stories

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

11110+ Sad Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Do you ever need to break your own heart? We see you. Grab a tub of ice cream or a box of tissues and settle down with some of the best, really sad short stories to make you cry.

Sad Short Stories – Page 667 of 741

The Real Reason

Submitted to Contest #71

A small chime rang throughout the tiny bakery as Marcela slowly opened the creaky door, flecks of paint falling to the ground. The floor creaked underneath her feet as she studied the shop. Old porcelain sat upon dusty shelves, and bags of flour and sugar lay inside cabinets strung with cobwebs. Marcela reminisced of when the warm lights within the shop would radiate out into the cold bitterness of the world. Her dear grandfather would intone a Christmas carol, his voice a serenade in the quiet night. She sighed, wishing those days of bliss ...

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Ms Shirley: A new spin on Grandma's Cookies

Submitted to Contest #71

It had been a while since Jerry had won the case against Gerta, his former caretaker who had been the puppet master behind the scenes that injected a lethal overdose of morphine, as well as potassium chloride, they later concluded from Gerta's written confession, into his Grandmother's veins, effectively cutting Jerry off from the only true family had left. Though it seemed the now young man could finally have a happy start at a real life, he was still unhappy. To Jerry, Grandmother had only had a funeral- when he had put her picture into th...

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Girls are Stronger than 'Sugar and Spice'

Submitted to Contest #71

I can’t do it. I cannot do it. Grandmother always said to never say never but Grandmother has never felt the heartbreak of this instance. She always made pastries and ice cream and cakes and sweets of all sorts for me. She always took me aside from the loud chaotic living room, lively with men discussing sports and politics, into the calm kitchen. Once, I looked up from my toy to ask what she was doing. She pointed and showed me what she was up to. Her slender fingers danced over dough gracefully. She rubbed the powder slowly and carefully b...

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Mince Pies by Firelight

Submitted to Contest #71

I could tell mum was trying not to cry again, even with the mask over her mouth and nose. Her eyes were wet, and she was blinking hard. She did that a lot this Christmas. For a second she stared at the oversized fake pine tree in the shopping centre, surrounded by equally fake presents, watching the man dressed as Santa listen to children shout from 6 feet away. Santa was wearing a mask too. I knew what mum was thinking about. She was thinking about how grandma always loved taking me to see Santa, even though he wasn’t real either. Mum wor...

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Rosaline

Submitted to Contest #71

“Valerie and Charity, Nicholas and Damien.” I cross off the names on the starchy white paper as I continue scanning the list. “And John and Carter. Joy and Diana.” I cross those names off the list too. “Isaiah and Ransom. And…” I search for the last name. The name that perhaps matters the most. “Rosaline.” I put down the pen after circling the name. It’s her. It has to be her. I’ve looked into the rest of my cousins, but they’ve all led me to dead ends. And besides with the way she’s been acting as of late, she’s hiding something. I know she...

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oceans memory

Submitted to Contest #71

Light shone through the windows that used to carry the soft smell of cinnamon and nutmeg to the whole neighborhood. Now all it carries is the memory of her long white hair and the warm cookies she would make. Who could've ever guessed that she was unhappy. The way she smiled lit up everyone's world. And she would listen to you like you were the most important thing in her life. I guess no one ever listened to her. It was months after her… death that my mother finally called me to tell me that her long white eyelashes were no longer blinking,...

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The Flavor of the Past

Submitted to Contest #71

A bright girl broke through steady, warm hands as she rushed forwards, excitement bubbling from her small body. Her chubby hands grappled at the overhang of the counter in an attempt to pull herself up. “Meiling, wait a second!” a deep voice chastised. Grandpa slapped her hands away, to which she began jumping and wailing. “You can’t! The pan is still hot!” When her frown refused to subside, he took a napkin and delicately peeled a fresh cookie off the foil. He gently broke the cookie into two and handed her the bigger half. Outstr...

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The Golden Watch

Submitted to Contest #71

«Are you sure the voting process is a good idea?» asked Jenny. «Maybe it gets a bit too competitive. You know, for the holiday spirit I mean,» «You are not scared, are you?» I say teasingly, causing a little gasp of air to stack over her neck as she touches her sternum with her hand. «You could always skip it if you don't want to bother with it, but then you won't be able to participate in the game either. Sorry, it's how the rules go,» I say as I observe her leaning her head on the back and folding her hands over her chest with clear disa...

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It's just a Cookie

Submitted to Contest #71

Every year my Grandmother would bake the same cookies. They weren’t just any cookies though. My Grandmother called them Kinder Kekse. See my Grandmother came here straight from Germany when she was in her late 30’s. She was a baker, just like her mother and Grandmother before her. When the war broke out, her mother sent her out of the country. She never saw her mother or grandmother again. She did bring all of her families recipes though. She opened her own bakery and put herself into that. She put her soul into the bakery. All her children...

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A Bitter-Sweet Adventure

Submitted to Contest #71

Dec 3rd, 2000: “Grandpa, what’s that in that bottle over there?”, Cheryl asks pointing to a black bottle lying on the kitchen counter. Grandpa stops his vigorous whisking, picks up the bottle and joins her. He places the bottle under her nose.  “Tell me what you smell” Cheryl sniffs, her nose scrunching up adorably. Her face brightens and she looks up at her favourite person in the entire world. “It’s smells sweet, Pa. What is it? Grandpa lifts his pinky finger, runs it along the rim of the bottle and asks her to give it a taste. Cheryl...

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heart beat

Submitted to Contest #71

Elle was riding her bicycle she was carrying some eggs suddenly she hit the max bike coming from other side , she fell down from her cycle and all the eggs were broken she started crying and shouted at Max. (Max was Elle's business rival in bakery) Elle- what did you did you broke all my eggs now how I will place my order and I don't have enough money to purchase the eggs again. Max - It was not my fault you were in hurry and you hit my bike Elle - now you are going to replace my eggs. Max- I am not going to do so , do what ever you want and...

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Alone

Submitted to Contest #71

Thea wouldn’t talk to her anymore. Unless it was about money or the well-being of her cat Rosie. Who could blame her, really? They exchanged short letters sometimes. It was a broken feeling when Eve saw her older sister dressed in orange, her pretty face split by metal bars.  Or maybe it was an empty feeling. Makeup peeled off Thea’s pretty face and her bracelets unhinged. Her cold hands when they secured them with handcuffs.  Thea was the type of sister who told Eve about happiness but left her at red train stations, all alone. ...

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When you realise, it's too late

Submitted to Contest #71

It’s only flour and water. Essentially. And a bit of yeast thrown in. Outrageously simple, really. So why have I avoided it for so long? I can throw together cookies, churn out weighty chunks of brownie, whip up a victoria sponge like it’s nothing. Twenty years of baking. But never bread. ***  A shape shuffles steadily behind the frosted glass in response to my knock. Grandad opens the door and I’m welcomed instantly by a dense, cosy warmth. A familiar scent curls into my nostrils, though I don’t yet understand the meaning of nostal...

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Smells like mom's cooking

Submitted to Contest #71

   Malissa had laid a fresh batch of cookies on the kitchen counter. The smell quickly filled the room, and Malissa felt sad. Over the last few months, she couldn't wrap her head around anything, other than the plan she had devised. She savoured the aroma and enjoyed a moment of silence. To hell with this, like she hadn't experienced enough silence over the last 7 months and 14 days, when she swore revenge on Mr. Spitz, her mothers former employer, and the owner of a local bakery. The plan was supposed to set in motion at exac...

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Christmas 2020

Submitted to Contest #71

The last sliver of sun dipped behind the trees. Anna sat and watched. The glow in the sky lasted only minutes this time of year. The world was decorated for Christmas. Somewhere out in the distance she could hear carols being played on a radio. So many memories from being a girl danced in her mind. When the memories faded, they took with them her smile. Only then did she realize she expected to not be alone. Why tonight was a mystery to her? What had she expected? Anna had been alone for weeks. Occasionally someone would drop food off outsid...

11 likes 1 comment 1
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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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