33 Best Humorous Short Stories Instant

: A sharp social satire of pretension and high-society manners in the 1840s.

: A rare comedic foray for the master of macabre, featuring a bizarre being made of kegs and bottles who torments a skeptic.

: The story that launched Twain’s career, featuring a betting man, a lead-filled frog, and a classic American tall-tale structure. 33 Best Humorous Short Stories

: A charming comedy about a man who realizes midway through a funeral speech that he is eulogizing the wrong person.

: A lighthearted tale of two friends who make a pact to experience each other’s favorite (and disastrous) hobbies. : A sharp social satire of pretension and

Foundational works that defined comedic structure and social commentary.

: A courtroom comedy featuring Harte’s recurring character, a flamboyantly legalistic Southern colonel. : A charming comedy about a man who

: An early American humor piece detailing the mishaps of a Frenchman caught in land speculation.