Students should read the best short stories in English because they help develop both language skills and thinking ability. Short stories are easy to read and do not take much time, so students can enjoy them without feeling stressed. These stories often teach important life lessons like honesty, courage, kindness, and patience.
Reading short stories in English improves vocabulary, grammar, and sentence formation. Students also learn how to express ideas clearly and understand different writing styles. Short stories help improve reading comprehension and imagination.
Many short stories show real-life situations, which help students think deeply and make better decisions. Overall, reading the best short stories in English helps students grow academically, morally, and emotionally while making reading an enjoyable habit.
10 Best Short Stories in English 2026
Table of Contents
Don’t Be Lazy
Once there was a boy named Aman who was very lazy. He always delayed his work and spent most of his time sleeping or watching TV. He often said, “I will do it tomorrow.”
One day, Aman was given an important homework assignment. He kept postponing it until the last night. Feeling tired and sleepy, he could not complete it properly.
The next day, his teacher scolded him for his incomplete work. Aman felt embarrassed and sad. His father later explained that laziness steals our time and success.
Aman decided to change his habit. He started waking up early, finishing his work on time, and planning his day. Slowly, he felt more active and confident.
Aman learned that laziness brings failure, while hard work brings success.
Moral: Don’t be lazy; work hard to succeed.
Learn From Failure
Once there was a boy named Rohit who loved playing badminton. He practiced a little but believed that was enough. One day, he took part in a school tournament. He was confident but lost the match in the first round.
Rohit felt very sad and wanted to quit the game. He thought he was not good enough. His coach spoke to him kindly and said that failure is not the end, but a lesson. He explained Rohit’s mistakes and showed him how to improve.
Rohit decided not to give up. He started practicing every day, worked on his weak points, and listened carefully to his coach’s advice. Slowly, his skills improved, and he became more confident.
After a few months, Rohit played in another tournament. This time, he played much better and won a prize. He felt proud of himself.
Rohit learned that failure teaches us how to become better if we are willing to learn.
Moral: Failure is a step toward success if we learn from it.
Be Fair in Play
Once there was a boy named Arjun who loved playing cricket. He was very competitive and always wanted to win. During a match, when the ball touched his bat and went out, Arjun claimed he was not out. The umpire was confused, and the game continued.
Later, Arjun’s team won the match, but Arjun did not feel happy. He remembered that he had won unfairly. His teacher later spoke about sportsmanship and honesty in games. Arjun felt guilty.
The next day, during another match, Arjun was again in a similar situation. This time, he accepted that he was out, even though the umpire had not noticed. His teammates were surprised, but the teacher praised Arjun for his honesty.
Arjun felt proud and peaceful. He understood that fair play is more important than winning.
From that day, Arjun always played honestly and respected the rules.
Moral: Be fair in play; honesty matters more than winning.
Control Your Desires
Once there was a boy named Ramesh who always wanted more. If he got one toy, he wanted another. If he had good food, he wanted extra even when he was not hungry. He could not control his desires.
One day, Ramesh saw a beautiful video game in a shop. He insisted that his parents buy it immediately. His parents explained that they could not afford it at that time, but Ramesh kept crying and shouting.
A few days later, Ramesh visited his cousin’s house. His cousin had fewer toys but was happy and peaceful. He shared his toys and enjoyed playing simple games. Ramesh felt surprised and thought deeply.
He realized that always wanting more only brings anger and sadness. Being satisfied brings peace. From that day, Ramesh started controlling his desires and became thankful for what he had.
He felt calmer and happier than before.
Moral: Controlling desires brings peace and happiness.
Respect Time and Money
Once there was a boy named Naman who did not value time or money. He wasted hours playing games and spent money carelessly on snacks and toys. He often asked his parents for more money and said he would study “later.”
One day, Naman’s father gave him a small amount of money for the week and asked him to manage it carefully. Naman spent it all in two days. Later, he needed money for a school project but had none left. He also realized that he had wasted a lot of time and had not completed his homework.
Seeing this, his mother explained that time and money are both precious. Once wasted, they cannot be easily recovered. Naman felt ashamed and decided to change.
From the next week, Naman planned his day properly. He finished his homework on time and saved a little money every day. Slowly, he became more responsible and confident.
Naman learned that respecting time and money helps us live a better and more successful life.
Moral: Respect time and money; both are very valuable.
Speak Kindly
Once there was a girl named Priti who often spoke in a harsh tone. Even when she did not mean to hurt anyone, her words sounded rude. Because of this, her friends felt sad and avoided talking to her.
One day, Priti’s younger brother broke her pencil box by mistake. Priti was about to shout, but she remembered her teacher’s advice that kind words can solve problems better than anger. She calmly told her brother to be careful next time.
Her brother said sorry and hugged her. Priti felt surprised and happy. She realized that speaking kindly made the situation peaceful instead of turning it into a fight.
From that day, Priti started choosing her words carefully. She spoke politely to her friends, teachers, and family members. Slowly, people began liking her more and felt comfortable around her.
Priti learned that kind words cost nothing but have great power.
Moral: Speaking kindly makes relationships strong and happy.
Be Honest Even When Alone
Once there was a boy named Raju who was very honest when others were watching him. But when he was alone, he sometimes did wrong things, thinking no one would know.
One day, Raju went to a shop to buy a pencil. The shopkeeper was busy and gave him extra money by mistake. Raju noticed it. For a moment, he thought, “No one is watching. I can keep it.” But then he remembered his parents’ words that honesty is tested when no one is around.
Raju went back and returned the extra money to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper smiled and praised him for his honesty. Raju felt proud and happy from inside.
At that moment, Raju understood that being honest is not about fear of punishment, but about doing the right thing always.
From that day, Raju promised himself to stay honest, even when he was alone.
Moral: True honesty means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
Help the Needy
Once there was a girl named Meena who lived in a city. Every day, she passed by a poor old woman sitting near the bus stop. Meena saw her often but never paid much attention.
One rainy day, Meena noticed the old woman shivering in the cold without an umbrella. Meena felt sad and decided to help. She gave her own umbrella and shared some food from her lunch box. The old woman smiled and blessed her.
That evening, Meena told her parents about the incident. They praised her kindness and explained that helping the needy brings peace and happiness.
From that day, Meena started helping poor people whenever she could. She shared food, clothes, and kind words. Meena felt happier than before.
She learned that helping someone in need does not require a lot of money, but a caring heart.
Moral: Helping the needy makes the world kinder.
Do Good, Feel Good
Once there was a boy named Arnav who always thought only about himself. He did not care much about others’ problems and believed helping people was a waste of time.
One day, while returning from school, Arnav saw a man who had fallen from his bicycle and was hurt. Many people passed by, but no one stopped. Arnav felt unsure at first, but then he decided to help. He gave the man water and called for help.
The man thanked Arnav and blessed him. Arnav felt a strange happiness inside his heart. It was different from the joy he felt after playing games or buying toys.
From that day, Arnav started helping people whenever he could—at school, at home, and in his neighborhood. He noticed that every time he did something good, he felt peaceful and happy.
Arnav learned that doing good deeds brings inner happiness.
Moral: Do good, and you will feel good.
Choose Kindness Always
Once there was a boy named Neeraj who was very intelligent but often spoke rudely to others. He did not realize how his words hurt people around him.
One day, a new student named Mohit joined the class. Mohit was shy and found it hard to make friends. Some students laughed at him. Neeraj saw this and felt a small voice inside him telling him to help.
Neeraj went to Mohit, sat beside him, and spoke kindly. He helped Mohit understand the lessons and included him in games. Slowly, other students also stopped teasing Mohit.
Mohit became happy and confident. Neeraj felt peaceful and proud. He realized that choosing kindness can change someone’s life.
From that day, Neeraj decided to always choose kindness in his words and actions.
Moral: Always choose kindness.