All posts by Srinivas Appikatla

The Wizard’s Apprentice

Fantasy Short Stories, , , , ,

There once was a small kid named Jack who lived in a place far, far away. Jack was an orphan who had been taken in by the local blacksmith, but his heart had always yearned for adventure and magic. He had always been fascinated by the stories of the great wizards who lived in the distant mountains, and he had dreamed of one day becoming a wizard himself.

One day, as he was wandering through the forest, he came across an old wizard. The wizard was sitting by the side of the road, looking tired and worn. Jack approached him and asked if he needed any help. The wizard looked up at him and smiled. “I have been waiting for you, young Jack,” he said. “I have been watching you for some time, and I have seen the potential in you. I am in need of an apprentice, and I believe that you are the one I have been looking for.”

Jack was thrilled and accepted the offer without hesitation. The wizard, whose name was Merlin, took him under his wing and began to teach him the ways of magic. Jack was a quick learner, and he soon became proficient in many different types of magic. He learned how to cast spells, how to summon elementals, and how to create potions. He also learned about the history of magic and the many different types of creatures that lived in the world.

As Jack grew older, he began to take on more responsibility. He assisted Merlin with his research and helped him to collect herbs and other ingredients for his potions. He also accompanied Merlin on many of his adventures, and he quickly became a skilled and powerful wizard in his own right.

One day, while they were out on a journey, they came across a powerful sorcerer who was terrorizing a small village. The sorcerer had cast a curse on the village, causing all the crops to wither and die. The villagers were desperate and had no one else to turn to. Merlin and Jack decided to help, and they set out to find a way to break the curse.

After much research, they discovered that the sorcerer had hidden a powerful talisman in a cave deep in the mountains. The talisman was the source of the sorcerer’s power, and it was the only way to break the curse. Jack, who was now a powerful wizard in his own right, set out to retrieve the talisman, while Merlin stayed behind to protect the village.

Jack journeyed through treacherous mountains and dark forests, facing many dangers along the way. But he was determined to succeed, and he finally reached the cave where the talisman was hidden. He fought his way past the sorcerer’s guards and retrieved the talisman.

With the talisman in hand, Jack returned to the village and presented it to Merlin. Together, they broke the curse and saved the village. The villagers thanked them and hailed them as heroes.

From that day on, Jack was known as the wizard’s apprentice, and he earned the respect and admiration of everyone in the land. He continued to journey with Merlin, helping him with his research and accompanying him on many adventures. He had finally found the life of adventure and magic that he had always dreamed of, and he lived happily ever after.

 

The Dragon’s Hoard

Fantasy Short Stories, , , ,

Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, there lived a dragon named Harold. Harold was unlike any other dragon you’ve ever heard of. He was not fierce, or fierce-looking, for that matter. He was in fact, quite the opposite. He was a plump and friendly dragon who loved nothing more than to collect shiny things.

Harold’s hoard was legendary, and it contained all kinds of shiny objects – from gold and silver coins to precious jewels and diamonds. He had everything a dragon could ever want, except one thing – a mate.

Harold had been alone for centuries, and he was starting to feel lonely. He decided that it was time to find himself a mate, and what better way to attract a female dragon than with his shiny hoard?

So, he spread the word among the dragon community that he was looking for a mate and that his hoard was up for grabs. It wasn’t long before a beautiful dragon named Gwendolyn heard of Harold’s hoard and decided to pay him a visit.

Gwendolyn was impressed with Harold’s hoard, but she was not impressed with Harold himself. He was too plump, and not fierce-looking at all. But Harold, being the clever dragon that he was, decided to play up his strengths.

He invited Gwendolyn to dinner and served her a feast fit for a king. He had cooked up a storm, and the table was piled high with succulent meats, fruits, and vegetables. Gwendolyn was impressed and decided to give Harold a chance.

They went on several dates, and Harold showed her his hoard, and Gwendolyn was impressed. Harold was a good listener, and he had a great sense of humor. But, Gwendolyn still had doubts.

One day, Harold decided to take Gwendolyn on a picnic in the countryside. As they were enjoying their meal, a group of bandits appeared out of nowhere, and they demanded that Harold hand over his hoard.

Harold, being the friendly dragon that he was, tried to reason with the bandits, but they weren’t having any of it. They threatened to burn down the picnic and kidnap Gwendolyn if Harold didn’t hand over his hoard.

Harold, not wanting to put Gwendolyn in danger, decided to give the bandits what they wanted. But, as he was handing over his hoard, he had an idea. He told the bandits that his hoard was cursed and that anyone who took it would be doomed to a life of bad luck.

The bandits, not wanting to risk their luck, quickly handed back the hoard and ran away as fast as they could. Gwendolyn was impressed with Harold’s quick thinking and bravery. She realized that Harold may not be fierce-looking, but he was fierce in his own way.

From that day on, Harold and Gwendolyn were inseparable. They built a new hoard together and were happy for the rest of their days. And as for the bandits, they were plagued by bad luck for the rest of their lives, and they were never seen or heard from again.

The end

 

The Laundry Mix-Up

Humorous Stories, , , ,

Once upon a time, there was a young couple named Jane and Jack. They had just moved into their first apartment together and were excited to start their life together. However, they soon realized that they had a problem – they couldn’t seem to keep their laundry straight.

Jane would always mix her pink shirts with Jack’s blue ones, and vice versa. They would end up with a wardrobe of strange shades of purple and green. They tried using different laundry baskets and even color-coded laundry bags, but nothing seemed to work.

One day, after yet another laundry mix-up, Jane had had enough. She decided to take matters into her own hands and came up with a plan. She went to the store and bought a pack of laundry markers. From that day on, before doing laundry, she would mark all of her clothes with a big pink “J” for Jane, and Jack’s clothes with a big blue “J” for Jack.

It seemed to be working well, and they were both very pleased with themselves. However, they soon realized that they had a new problem – they had accidentally marked all of their clothes with the same initial.

One day, while at work, Jane received a phone call from her friend Mary. Mary had borrowed a shirt from Jane the day before and was calling to thank her and tell her how much she loved it. However, when Jane asked which shirt it was, Mary described a shirt that was definitely not hers.

Jane quickly realized that she had given Mary one of Jack’s shirts by mistake. Mortified, she apologized profusely and promised to bring her the correct shirt as soon as she got home.

To make matters worse, Jack had a similar experience at work. His colleague, Bob, complimented him on his new shirt, but it was not a shirt Jack recognized. It turned out to be one of Jane’s shirts that he had accidentally worn to work.

They both had a good laugh about it and decided to go back to square one and come up with a new laundry sorting system. They decided to use different laundry detergents, one for Jack’s clothes and one for Jane’s. And for good measure, they also decided to use different laundry baskets and color-coded laundry bags.

From then on, their laundry sorting went smoothly and they never had another mix-up again. They even started to enjoy doing laundry together, and it became one of their weekly rituals.

Years later, when they moved out of their apartment and into a house, they still used the same laundry sorting system and never had any mix-ups again. They would always tell their story to their friends and family, and it became a running joke in their circle.

The end.

 

The Accidental Tourist

Humorous Stories, , , ,

Once upon a time, there was a man named George who was the epitome of a homebody. He had never left his small town and had no desire to do so. However, one day, George’s boss, Mr. Smith, decided it was time for him to broaden his horizons and sent him on a business trip to Paris.

George was not thrilled about this turn of events, but he couldn’t very well say no to his boss. He then prepared his belongings for his journey and left.

Upon arriving in Paris, George was immediately overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the city. He had never seen anything like it before and had no idea where to begin. He decided to ask the hotel concierge for some recommendations on where to go and what to see.

The concierge, a charming young woman named Sophie, was more than happy to help. She gave George a map and marked all the must-see attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre.

George set off to explore the city, but as it turns out, he was not the best with maps. He soon found himself lost and wandering the streets with no idea where he was going. He asked for directions, but no one spoke English and George’s French was limited to “Bonjour” and “Merci.”

Just as he was about to give up, George spotted a sign that read “Tour Eiffel” and decided to follow it. But instead of the famous landmark, he ended up at a small, rundown amusement park.

Confused and disappointed, George decided to take a ride on the park’s only attraction, a rickety old rollercoaster. As he went round and round on the ride, he couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of his situation.

After the rollercoaster ride, George realized that he was having more fun than he had in a long time. He decided to embrace his accidental tourist status and make the most of his time in Paris.

He spent the next few days visiting all the “off the beaten path” attractions that he stumbled upon. He rode on the oldest carousel in Paris, at Place des Abbesses and went to the catacombs, where he saw the bones of six million Parisians. He ate at a hole-in-the-wall café and visited a local market.

Before he knew it, his time in Paris was up and it was time to head back home. As he boarded the plane, George couldn’t help but feel a little sad to be leaving. He had had the time of his life in Paris, and he realized that he had been missing out on all the fun and adventure that the world had to offer.

He landed back home and immediately called Sophie, the concierge, and thanked her for all the help. He told her that he had the best time and will like to come back soon.

From that day on, George was a changed man. He became an enthusiastic traveler, always eager to explore new places and try new things. And he always made sure to bring a map, but with a sense of humor and adventure in his heart.

The end

The Ghost in the Attic

Horror Short Stories, , , ,

Once upon a time, there was a family who had just moved into an old, Victorian-style house. The house had been vacant for quite some time, and the family was excited to make it their own. However, they soon began to notice strange occurrences happening in the house, particularly in the attic.

The family would hear strange noises coming from the attic, like footsteps and whispers, and they would sometimes see shadows moving in the corners of their eyes. They would also feel cold spots in certain areas of the house, and they would sometimes see objects move on their own. The family was convinced that the house was haunted, and they were terrified.

One night, the family’s daughter, Emily, decided to investigate the attic. She went up to the attic alone and as soon as she entered, she felt a cold chill run down her spine. She heard strange noises and saw shadows moving in the corners of her eyes. She became scared and ran back downstairs.

The next day, Emily told her family about her experience in the attic and they decided to call in a paranormal investigator. The investigator arrived and conducted an investigation of the house, and he discovered that the house was indeed haunted by the ghost of a young girl named Sarah.

Sarah had lived in the house many years ago, and she had died in a tragic accident in the attic. Her spirit had been trapped in the house ever since, unable to move on. The investigator was able to communicate with Sarah’s spirit and discovered that she was not malevolent, but she was just lonely and wanted to be acknowledged.

The family was touched by Sarah’s story and they decided to make peace with her spirit. They began to leave small gifts and trinkets in the attic for her, and they would talk to her and acknowledge her presence in the house. They also decided to name the house after her, and they started calling it “Sarah’s House”.

As the family continued to acknowledge Sarah’s presence in the house, the strange occurrences began to decrease. The cold spots and the shadows disappeared, and the family no longer heard strange noises coming from the attic. They knew that Sarah’s spirit was finally at peace.

The moral of the story is that sometimes, ghosts are not malevolent but they may just want to be acknowledged and to be treated with kindness. The ghost of Sarah was lonely and wanted to be acknowledged, and the family’s kindness and willingness to communicate with her helped to bring peace to her spirit. It also teaches that it’s important to be open-minded about the possibility of ghosts and to treat them with respect and empathy. The family lived happily ever after, in their beautiful home, now known as “Sarah’s House”.

 

The Curse of the Mummy

Horror Short Stories, , , , ,

Once upon a time, there was an archaeologist named John who had devoted his life to studying ancient Egyptian civilization. He had always been fascinated by the stories of mummies and the curses that were said to be placed on them. One day, John received a grant to lead an excavation in Egypt, to search for a lost tomb of an ancient pharaoh.

The team arrived in Egypt, and after weeks of searching, they finally discovered the tomb. As they dug deeper, they found themselves face to face with the mummy of the pharaoh. The mummy was incredibly well-preserved, and John knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. He carefully removed the mummy from its sarcophagus and sent it back to the museum for further study.

However, as soon as the mummy arrived at the museum, strange things began to happen. The lights would flicker, strange noises could be heard coming from the mummy’s exhibit, and the staff reported feeling an eerie presence in the room. John initially dismissed these occurrences as mere superstition, but he soon began to have strange dreams in which the mummy came to life and threatened him.

John dismissed it as a coincidence but as the days went by, the occurrences became more and more frequent and violent. The mummy’s exhibit was causing strange accidents and accidents to happen to the staff and visitors. Objects would move on their own, and people would become ill or injured in the room. John knew that he had to do something before the situation got any worse.

He began to research the history of the mummy and discovered that it had indeed been cursed. The pharaoh’s tomb had been desecrated by grave robbers, and the pharaoh had placed a curse on anyone who disturbed his final resting place. John realized that he had unknowingly unleashed the curse upon himself and his team.

John knew he had to find a way to break the curse. He consulted with local experts and searched through ancient texts to find a solution. He discovered that the curse could be broken by returning the mummy to its tomb and performing a ritual to appease the pharaoh’s spirit.

John immediately set out to return the mummy to its tomb. He traveled back to Egypt with his team and with the help of local experts, they performed the ritual. As soon as the mummy was returned to its tomb and the ritual was completed, the strange occurrences stopped. The curse had been lifted, and the mummy was finally at peace.

The moral of the story is that it’s important to respect the dead and their final resting place, as they may have placed curses to protect themselves. Also, It’s also important to be aware of the potential consequences of disturbing ancient artifacts and to act responsibly. John’s curiosity and passion for archaeology led to the discovery of the mummy, but it also led to the unleashing of the curse. However, his determination and willingness to find a solution helped to lift the curse and bring peace to the pharaoh’s spirit.

John returned to his normal life but never forgot the lessons he had learned from the curse of the mummy. He became an advocate for responsible archaeology and worked to ensure that the ancient artifacts were handled with respect and care. He lived the rest of his days with the knowledge that his actions had brought peace and balance to the ancient civilization.

 

The Missing Heirloom

Mystery Short Stories, , , , ,

Once upon a time, in a grand old mansion, there lived a wealthy family. The family had lived in the mansion for generations, and it was filled with priceless heirlooms and antiques, passed down from one generation to the next. Among these treasures was a beautiful diamond necklace, passed down from the family’s matriarch. The necklace was said to bring good luck and prosperity to the family, and it was treasured more than anything else in the mansion.

One day, the family noticed that the necklace was missing. They searched the entire mansion, but it was nowhere to be found. The family was devastated, as the necklace was not just a valuable heirloom, but also held sentimental value. They contacted the authorities, but no leads turned up. The family was beside themselves, not knowing what to do or where to look.

In the midst of their despair, a young servant girl named Mary came forward with some information. She explained that a few weeks prior, she had seen a strange man lurking around the mansion. She had thought nothing of it at the time, but now she realized that he must have been the thief. The family was overjoyed, finally having a lead on the missing necklace.

With the help of the authorities and the information provided by Mary, the family was able to track down the thief. He was a cunning and experienced criminal, who had been stealing from wealthy families for years. He had been careful to cover his tracks, but he had not counted on the determination and resourcefulness of the family.

The thief was caught and brought to justice, and the necklace was finally recovered. The family was overjoyed, and they knew that they had Mary to thank for her quick thinking and her willingness to help. They made sure to reward her for her efforts, and they promised to take better care of their valuable heirlooms in the future.

The moral of the story is that sometimes, the people who seem the least likely to help can be the most valuable in solving a problem. Mary, the young servant girl, was able to provide the information that led to the recovery of the missing necklace. It also teaches that it’s important to be vigilant and take care of valuable possessions as they hold sentimental value as well.

The family lived happily ever after, with their beloved heirloom back in their possession, and with a newfound appreciation for the people around them. They made sure to take better care of their possessions and to always be vigilant in keeping them safe. They were grateful to have Mary, who helped them to recover the missing necklace, as part of their family.

 

The Mysterious Stranger

Mystery Short Stories, , , ,

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the mountains, there lived a young woman named Sarah. She was a kind and curious person, always eager to explore the world around her. One day, while out on a walk, she came across a mysterious stranger who had just arrived in the village. He was a tall, dark, and mysterious figure, who refused to give out any information about himself.

Sarah was immediately drawn to the stranger, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of intrigue and mystery around him. She tried to strike up a conversation with him, but he was elusive, giving short and vague answers to her questions. He seemed to be hiding something, and Sarah was determined to find out what it was.

She began to observe him closely, noticing that he always seemed to be watching the village from a distance and that he always seemed to be on the move, as if he were searching for something. He never stayed in one place for too long, and he never made any friends.

Sarah’s curiosity eventually got the better of her and she decided to follow him. She followed him through the forest, over the hills, and through the valleys. She followed him for miles until she finally came upon a hidden cave deep in the mountains. She peered inside, and what she saw shocked her.

The stranger was not a stranger at all but a guardian who was sent to protect the village from impending danger. He was a powerful wizard, tasked with keeping the village safe from harm. He had been watching over the village for years, always keeping a low profile, and always on the lookout for any signs of danger.

Sarah was amazed by what she had discovered, and she knew that she had to tell the villagers. She returned to the village and told the people what she had learned. The villagers were shocked and amazed, and they knew that they had to trust the mysterious stranger. They welcomed him into their community, and they worked together to prepare for any potential danger.

The stranger was grateful for Sarah’s curiosity and her willingness to help. Together, they were able to protect the village from impending danger, and they all lived happily ever after.

The moral of the story is that sometimes, things are not always as they seem, and it is important to keep an open mind and not judge too quickly. The mysterious stranger was not a stranger at all, but a guardian sent to protect the village, and Sarah’s curiosity and willingness to help led to the village’s salvation. It also teaches that people who may seem different or mysterious may have a greater purpose and should be welcomed and trusted.

 

The Desert Island Survival

Adventure short stories‎, , , , ,

Once upon a time, there was a group of friends who decided to take a sailing trip together. They set out to sea with high spirits and a sense of adventure. But as they sailed further and further away from the coast, a fierce storm rolled in, and before they knew it, the ship was capsizing. The friends were thrown into the rough sea, struggling to stay afloat.

When they finally washed up on the shore of a deserted island, they were exhausted, hungry, and injured. They knew that survival would be a difficult task, but they were determined to make it through. They quickly built a shelter out of branches and leaves, and they set out to find food and water.

The island was barren and inhospitable, but they managed to find a small freshwater stream and a few coconut trees. They drank the water and ate the coconuts, but they knew that they needed more sustenance to survive. They set out to explore the island, and they soon discovered a small patch of wild berries and a few fish in the stream.

As they struggled to survive, the friends found themselves relying on each other more than ever before. They worked together to build a fire, to fish for food, and to gather materials for shelter. They also helped each other through the emotional struggles of being stranded on a deserted island. They knew that they had to stay strong, to keep their spirits up, and to keep their hope alive.

But despite their best efforts, the days on the island proved to be long and difficult. They were constantly plagued by hunger, thirst, and fatigue. They had to deal with wild animals, harsh weather conditions and injuries. But they never gave up.

One day, after many weeks on the island, they saw a ship on the horizon. They knew that they had to signal for help and they quickly built a large fire on the beach. The ship saw the smoke and came to investigate. The friends were finally rescued and brought back to civilization.

The moral of the story is that in the face of adversity, it is important to work together, to stay strong, and to never give up hope. The friends’ determination and willingness to help each other helped them to survive on the deserted island. They returned home with a new appreciation for life, and they knew that they would always have the memories of their time on the island to remind them of their strength and resilience. They lived happily ever after, forever grateful for their survival and their friendship.

 

 

The Ugly Duckling

Children's Short Stories, , ,

 

Once upon a time, in a small pond in the countryside, there lived a duck family. The mother duck had just given birth to a batch of eggs, and soon, they all hatched. The mother duck was overjoyed to see her new babies, but there was one that looked different from the rest. This duckling was bigger, had an unusual color, and looked quite ugly compared to his siblings.

The other ducklings immediately made fun of the ugly duckling, teasing and bullying him at every opportunity. The mother duck tried to intervene, but she couldn’t stop her other ducklings from tormenting their sibling. The ugly duckling felt out of place and alone, longing to find where he truly belonged.

As the days went by, the ugly duckling grew bigger and bigger, and his feathers grew in strange, beautiful patterns. His siblings continued to mock him, but he didn’t let their words bring him down. He knew that he was different, but he didn’t know why.

One day, while the other ducklings were swimming in the pond, the ugly duckling decided to leave and explore the world. He traveled through the countryside, meeting many different animals along the way. He met a group of swans, who were the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. They welcomed him into their flock, and the ugly duckling finally felt like he belonged.

As he grew older, the ugly duckling’s feathers grew longer and more luxurious, and he became the most beautiful swan in the flock. His siblings, who had once mocked him, were shocked when they saw him again. They realized how wrong they were about him, and they apologized for their cruel behavior.

The ugly duckling forgave them, and he returned to the pond where he was born to visit his mother. She was overjoyed to see him, and she was proud of the beautiful swan he had become.

The moral of the story is that true beauty comes from within and we should not judge others based on their appearance. The ugly duckling may have looked different from his siblings, but he had a kind and loving heart that made him truly beautiful. He never gave up on finding where he belonged, and he eventually found his true home among the swans.

He lived his life being proud of who he was and being an example to others not to judge too quickly. He lived happily ever after and was remembered as an inspiration to all who knew him.