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53 Best Funny Short Story Ideas

Showing 53 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

Write a story with an open ending.

You're a bartender at a neighborhood pub. A regular comes in and says, "Do I have a story for you!"

Many action movies involve the hero jumping into a vehicle and demanding the driver to "follow that car!" Write from the perspective of the driver.

While looking through old photos you discover something that unequivocally settles an argument that ended a childhood friendship decades ago.

A former party animal lives in a retirement home. They've decided it's time for one last bash.

You are a space kitty, traveling from planet to planet. You write a letter home and this is what it says.

You are in a bar when an elderly woman takes the stool next to you and says to the bartender, "Hey, Francine, make it a double. It happened again." You can't resist and ask her, "What happened again?"

After searching for your lost cat for months, it saunters into your house one day. It looks rather plump.

You woke up and all seemed normal. Little did you know that before you'd even had a chance to get out of bed, you would become the subject of a prank.

Write a story that ends by jumping forward several years.

From a dog's perspective, humans seem to be either immortal or at least live extremely long lives. Write from the perspective of a dog contemplating this.

It was the most epic senior prank your high school had ever seen.

"BOO!" you yell, grabbing the shoulders of a person you think is your friend from behind. They turn around and it's a total stranger.

Doctor Seuss has grown weary of writing children's books and finds new work as a reporter covering violent crime for a newspaper. Despite his new line of work, he keeps his classic Seussian style.

You were mowing your lawn when someone walked by your yard and burst into tears.

You are a server at a restaurant, having the busiest shift of your life.

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