I love “bite-sized” fiction I can read while enjoying hot chai on rainy days. Lately, as the world seems to grow more pessimistic, I’ve been seeking out stories where good things happen, where characters make those good things happen… Little reminders that things can and do end well, and that we’re not always as helpless as we think. Here’s a list of some recent favorites.
“The Code for Everything” by McKinley Valentine
I almost skipped past this story because of its urban setting, but then the magic showed up—there are not one but two talking cats—and I had to know what they wanted from Izzy, the protagonist who can never seem to follow any social norms without embarrassing herself. Valentine does an excellent job exploring the difficulties of navigating social situations in less than 1500 words and also gives us a happy ending. If I were a teacher, I’d make this story required reading to give students one example (out of many) of what it’s like to be a neurodivergent person.
“Crown Prince” by Melissa Mead
Another story I’d add to my reading list for kids—and adults—to help them understand what it’s like to have a body that’s different, that makes people think of you as “less than.” Crown Prince Manu understands this well, but—because we’re reading stories with happy endings here—learns that it doesn’t have to stop him from doing what he cares about.
“So. Fucking. Metal.” by Shane Halbach
I’m not a fan of metal, but look, this story has a band named the Skull Suckers and a performer named Lady Death and literal skeletons on the stage. Oh, and a protagonist who’s hiding something. But it all turns out well in the end, and you only need two minutes to enjoy this story!
“The Menagerie Machine” by Katherine Quevedo
Quevedo offers a crash course in dealing with bullies and loving yourself, in under than five minutes—plus a dash of humor and nostalgia for all those carnival rides you enjoyed as a child.
“When No Cats are Gray” by Deborah L. Davitt
This little story has a bittersweet ending, a little different from the others on this list. But hey, there’s a cat in it! A cat with a purpose. That’s two reasons for you to give it a read right now.
“Disenchantment” by P. H. Low
As someone who’s been lucky to have very supportive parents, I’m often frustrated when almost every fantasy story chooses to do away with them, either by making the protagonist an orphan or giving them evil parents. Sure, such people exist, but so do parents who make mistakes out of love and still want the best for their kids. They support their kids even if there are low, dark moments.
P.H. Low conveys those dynamics very well in this little story, which I found very heartening to read because of how much it reminded me of the love my own parents have given me. It’s the kind of story we need more of—showing people not just the actualities of the dark side of life but affirming that the brighter side of life also exists, just as surely.
“Captured by the Dragon Cult” by Laurence Raphael Brothers
Who wouldn’t want to go on a quick adventure to find out what it’s like to be captured by a dragon cult? As a psychology major, I know about the danger of cults—but this is one I’d join happily. Alas, reality means that I can only do so by reading, but isn’t that magical in its own right?
And if that’s not enough for you, there’s also mention of Chanel and the Fashion Institute of Technology—who knew you could put those two together along with dragons and lizardfolk and generate a story with a happy ending, and do it all in less than 1,000 words?
“Shapeshifter” by Vanessa McKinney
I guess it was inevitable that at least one love story would make it onto this list. We all want sweet, I-accept-you-as-you-are romances. Add to that a slow dance and a shapeshifter, and well…you’ve got “some good shit,” as the story says.
“Lessons” by Billie Cohen
I love stories set in schools. Something about a teacher who makes bubbles to show kids the magic of science and a brave student who isn’t afraid to step into the unexplainable makes me feel a little safer about the state of our world. Kids are brave. We’ll be fine. It’s a good reminder both for readers and for the protagonist of this little story.
Ratika Deshpande, Order of Truthwatchers, is the editor of The Metronome, a bi-monthly magazine for people who want to study psychology and make a career in the field.
