Inspirational Stories

10 Inspirational Stories to Develop Empathy, Critical Thinking, and Heightened Perspective

There is a purpose behind the fact that we begin listening to stories when we are still in diapers. In innumerable works of literature, be they children's novels, short stories, memoirs, or biographies, the challenges and unavoidable setbacks of the real world are depicted. People can gain motivation and support from inspirational stories, as well as a new perspective that can help them better contextualize the challenges they face in their own lives. 

Reading fictional works may actually assist people in developing critical thinking, empathy, and theory of mind, according to a study carried out in the field of neuroscience. 

People are encouraged to follow their aspirations and triumph over challenges by reading the best short stories, whether they are works of fiction or nonfiction. They have the ability to show individuals that they are not the only ones going through the difficulties that they are and that other people have triumphed over difficulties that are comparable to their own. People can be encouraged to assist one another in their pursuit of personal growth and development when they hear inspirational stories because it creates a domino effect of optimism that acts as a catalyst for a sense of community and connection.

Reading and discussing short works of inspiration can be a powerful motivating tool that contributes to the creation of a world that is more positive and supportive of one another. In this post, you will learn about some of the most influential short stories and memoirs that are frequently used to teach lessons and drive inspiration. These stories have a long history of being passed down from generation to generation. 

Top 10 Must-Read Inspirational Stories 

1. The Parable of “The Elephant Rope” 

"The elephant had been trained to believe that he could never get away from his captors. He was under the impression that the rope could still hold him, so he made no attempt to escape.

Summary: "The Elephant Rope" is a motivational piece that tells the tale of a young man who goes to the circus and is astounded by the fact that elephants are restrained by nothing more than a rope that is connected to a stake in the ground, despite the elephants' enormous size and strength. Although it was obvious that the elephants could free themselves from their chains, they did not do so because they had been trained to believe that this was not an option. 

Theme: "The Elephant Rope" revolves around the central theme of holding restrictive ideas. The young man finds out that the elephants were trained from a young age to believe that they were unable to extricate themselves from the rope that was shackling them. The elephants never made another attempt to get free, despite the fact that they were fully grown and capable of doing so by the time they reached adulthood. 

Moral of the story:  We may have been led to feel that we are incapable of accomplishing anything as a result of our prior experiences or beliefs; yet, the truth may be that we are more capable than we give ourselves credit for. We have the potential to accomplish great things if we challenge ourselves and free ourselves from the limiting thoughts that hold us back.

2. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

"And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. "And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat. However, as a parting remark to those who are intelligent in these modern times, let it be declared that among all those who gave gifts, these two were the wisest."

Summary: "The Gift of the Magi" was written by O. Henry in the year 1905. During the holiday season, the plot centers on Jim and Della, a young couple who are having trouble making ends meet financially. Despite the fact that they are having financial troubles, they both want to get a unique present for one another. They ultimately have to make concessions in order to achieve their goal, and they each give up something important to them in order to appease the other. 

Theme: "The Gift of the Magi" is that the act of gift-giving is more about the affection and consideration that went into selecting the present than it is about the monetary value of the present itself. The couple's gifts to one another are ultimately useless in terms of what they may be used for, but the symbolism of their love and sacrifice proves to be of great value to both Jim and Della. 

The moral of the story: the story is that the worth of a present does not depend on how much money was spent on it but rather on the amount of thought and love that went into giving it. The narrative focuses on the generous nature of gift-giving and serves to remind readers of this fact.

3. “The Man Who Planted Trees” by Jean Giono 

"In order to have the good fortune of being able to observe the performance of a human character over a number of years, one needs to have a long period of time in which to do so."

Summary: "The Man Who Planted Trees" was written by Jean Giono and was initially published in the year 1953. The narrative is a work of fiction that tells the story of a man named Elzéard Bouffier who spends his life in a lonely valley in the French Alps growing trees and living a simple life. Bouffier single-handedly turns the arid and dreary area over the course of several decades into a lush and healthy forest, which has a tremendous impact on the surrounding environment and community.

Theme: The transformational power of nature underscores the impact that even one person can have on the planet. The theme of "The Man Who Planted Trees" is the importance of environmental stewardship and the power of individual action.

Moral of the story: This story demonstrates how even seemingly insignificant actions may have a significant influence on the world. This serves as a reminder of how important it is to preserve and maintain the natural environment, as well as the power that lies in the hands of an individual. In addition to this, it urges readers to take personal responsibility for the health of the natural world and to work towards developing a connection that is both sustainable and harmonious with nature.

4. “The Three Questions” by Leo Tolstoy

"Therefore, keep in mind that there is only one time that matters, and that is right now! Because this is the only moment when we have any power, it is the most essential period."

Summary: Leo Tolstoy, a Russian author, wrote a short story titled "The Three Questions," which was first published in 1903. The protagonist, a monarch, travels over the land in search of answers to three questions: When is the right moment to get things done? Who do you think is the most significant person? What would be the appropriate action to take? He solicits replies to these questions by offering a prize and consulting with a variety of counselors and wise men, but none of them are able to provide him with responses that satisfy him. Through his own experiences and deeds, he is eventually able to acquire the knowledge necessary to answer the questions he originally posed.

Theme: "Three Questions" is the value of taking responsibility for one's own actions and living in the here and now. The narrative stresses that worrying about the past or the future is fruitless and that one should instead focus on living in the moment and making the most of every opportunity that life presents.

Moral of the story:The story is that the answers to the important problems in life cannot be reached via intellectual investigation alone; rather, they can only be found through action and experience. Tolstoy demonstrates that showing compassion and love toward other people is the most admirable way to go through life. In addition to this, it urges readers to develop a sense of mindfulness rather than being consumed with either the past or the future.

5. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

"She was one of those pretty and charming women whose infatuation with luxury serves as their one form of heroism." 

Summary: Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Necklace" was originally published in the year 1884. The story focuses on the life of a woman named Mathilde Loisel who is dissatisfied with the simple way of life she now lives and yearns for a life of wealth and luxury. One day, her husband is able to gain an invitation for the two of them to a posh ball, and Mathilde decides to borrow a diamond necklace from a friend who is financially successful so that she can wear it to the occasion. However, after the ball, she realizes that she has lost the necklace. She then works hard for years to pay off the debt that she incurred as a result of replacing it, only to find out in the end that the original necklace was a fake.

Theme: "The Necklace." Mathilde's preoccupation with acquiring wealth and prestige causes her to be oblivious to the many advantages she already possesses in her life and motivates her to make ill-advised choices that, in the end, destroy any chance she has of being happy. 

Moral of the story: social standing and material goods are not the keys to happiness. This is the lesson that the author hopes the audience will take away from the story. Mathilde's insatiable desire for opulence ultimately condemns her to a life of abject want and unhappiness; the only way for her to find true contentment is for her to come to terms with her lot in life and discover how to be grateful for the gifts she has been given. 

6. “To Build a Fire” by Jack London

"The problem with him was that he lacked any sort of imaginative capacity. He was swift and vigilant in the affairs of life, but just in the affairs of life; he was unaware of the significance of the matters. Fifty degrees below zero indicated a frosty temperature of eighty-odd degrees. Simply put, such a circumstance left him with the impression that he was shivering and being uncomfortable."

Summary: "To Build a Fire" was written by Jack London and published for the first time in 1908. It tells the tale of an unnamed man who is traversing the Yukon wilderness on foot with his dog. Despite the warnings of an experienced old-timer, the man sets out alone in the bitter cold and attempts to build a fire to stay warm. However, after experiencing several setbacks, he eventually passes away from the cold while his dog survives.

Theme: The force and indifference of nature are depicted in "To Build a Fire." It illustrates the terrible conditions that exist in the wilderness of the Yukon and the grim fact that even the most prepared and experienced individuals may not be able to compete with the forces of nature. Although it is not motivational in the conventional sense, it does teach us a valuable lesson about the frailty of the human condition and the part we play in the wider world. 

Moral of the story: one should not be overconfident and should instead respect and comprehend the power of nature. This story serves as a cautionary tale against arrogance and hubris, and it underscores the significance of exercising care and humility when confronting the unpredictability and ruthlessness of nature's powers.

7. “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” From the Bible 

"But as he was traveling, a Samaritan came to the place where he was, and when he saw him, compassion welled up in his heart."

Summary: The Bible's book of Luke contains a story that is referred to as "The Parable of the Good Samaritan." This story may be found in verses 25–37. The narrative recounts the ordeal of a traveler who is assaulted, robbed, and abandoned on the side of the road as if he were dead. The man was overlooked for assistance by a priest and a Levite, both of whom were recognized as being at the forefront of religious authority. The man was then assisted by a Samaritan, who was considered an outsider and was frequently looked down upon. This Samaritan tended to the man's wounds and provided for his necessities. The good Samaritan helped the weary traveler onto his donkey, transported him to an inn, and paid the proprietor to take care of him while he was there. 

Theme: "The Parable of the Good Samaritan" is to teach individuals about the call to love and serve others, regardless of differences in background or rank. It places an emphasis on the significance of demonstrating compassion, kindness, and charity toward people who are in need.

Moral of the story: is that everyone should be treated as a neighbor and that we should love and serve others without showing favoritism or discrimination of any kind, not even toward those who are deemed to be our enemies. 

8. The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner

"The future was absolutely uncertain, and there were many obstacles, twists, and turns to come; however, as long as I kept moving forward, one foot in front of the other, the voices of fear and shame, as well as the messages from those who wanted me to believe that I wasn't good enough, would be silenced."

Summary: Chris Gardner's autobiography, titled The Pursuit of Happyness, was released in the year 2006. Gardner's rise from a life on the streets to a successful career as a stockbroker is chronicled in this motivational and uplifting tale. The memoir details the difficulties he encountered as a single parent trying to provide for his son despite the fact that he did not have a college degree and was struggling to escape poverty and homelessness.

Theme: Gardner's tale of rising from poverty to wealth illustrates the importance of fortitude and endurance in one's life. Despite the fact that he was confronted with challenges that appeared to be insurmountable, he did not give up on his goals and instead continued to work diligently toward accomplishing them. He displayed an astounding amount of perseverance in the face of adversity, and he never wavered in his commitment to build a better life for himself and his son.

Moral of the story: This story demonstrates that anyone can achieve their goals, regardless of how difficult or impossible they may appear, with hard effort, persistence, and an optimistic outlook. It inspires readers to follow their interests, to never give up, and to believe in themselves, even when others may not believe in them.

9. The Story of Colonel Sanders

"At that time, I vowed to myself that, to the best of my ability, I would achieve some kind of success. And neither the number of hours nor the amount of labor nor the sum of money could persuade me to provide less than the very best that I had in me. And ever since then, I've been doing it, and it's helped me succeed. I am aware."

Summary: The real-life narrative of Harland Sanders, the man who founded Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), is an encouraging and thought-provoking tale about achieving success in spite of encountering many obstacles along the way. Sanders was born in Indiana in the year 1890, and after the passing of his father, he took on a number of different tasks in order to provide for his siblings. In the 1930s, when he was 40 years old, he started a business in Corbin, Kentucky, frying chicken and selling it out of the back of a service station. He came up with his unique mixture of 11 different herbs and spices, and after that, his company expanded consistently throughout the course of the following few decades, eventually leading to the establishment of the KFC franchise.

Theme: The narrative of Colonel Sanders illustrates the importance of perseverance and tenacity, even in the face of a great number of failures and challenges along the way. Sanders was adamant about not giving up on his ambition to start a prosperous fried chicken business, and he continued to put in long hours of labor in order to accomplish all of his objectives.

Moral of the story: Sanders' accomplishments demonstrate that hard effort, tenacity, and an unwillingness to give up in the face of adversity are frequently the keys to success. It is essential to keep pushing forward and working toward achieving your goals, even when circumstances appear to be hopeless or impossible. Everyone has the potential to accomplish their goals if they put in the effort and stay focused, much like Colonel Sanders did when he built his fried chicken business.

10. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight 

"The cowardly never even began, and those who were too weak to continue perished along the road. The only ones left are you and I, ladies and gentlemen. Us."

Summary: Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Inc., wrote a memoir titled Shoe Dog. This story, which was published in 2016, is a motivational representation of Nike's journey from its humble origins as a small startup firm to its current status as a global giant in the industry of athletic shoes. After Phil Knight graduated from business school, his father loaned him fifty dollars so that he could start the company that would eventually become one of the most famous and successful companies in the world. 

Theme: Phil Knight's inspirational tale focuses on themes of tenacity and tenacity throughout its narrative. Throughout the voyage of the company, Knight and his team were confronted with a myriad of hurdles, some of which were financial issues, legal conflicts, and severe rivalry. Despite this, they did not give up and maintained their determination, which ultimately led to a great deal of success.

Moral of the story: that success may be achieved by a mix of doing what you love, putting in a lot of effort, and not giving up. It doesn't matter how difficult the path may appear to be, if you have faith in your vision and are prepared to put in the effort, you can accomplish great things, which is a lesson we can learn from Knight's experience.

What Makes for an Inspirational Story?

A tale is considered inspirational if it has the ability to motivate, encourage, and lift the reader up. Its purpose is to provide knowledge while removing obstacles posed by erroneous perceptions. 

Some key elements that can make a story inspirational include:

• Overcoming Adversity: Protagonists in an engaging story frequently have to overcome substantial obstacles or adversity during the course of the narrative. They may have difficulty, experience failure, and encounter setbacks, but in the end, they find a way to overcome the challenges they face and accomplish what they set out to do.
• Positive Messages: A motivational narrative will frequently offer a message of hope, endurance, and resilience. The conclusion of the story should leave the reader with a sense of empowerment and motivation to take action in their own life. This is something that is made feasible when a relevant character or figure comes to their own personal understanding within the narrative. 

• Realistic: An inspirational story, even if it takes place in a fictional world, should be firmly rooted in the actual world. The reader should be able to see themselves in the people, settings, and obstacles in the story, so it is important that these elements be believable and relatable. 
• Emotional Impact: Readers should feel something when they read a good tale. It doesn't matter if it's laughter, grief, terror, or joy; the story should have a strong emotional impact that lets its message come through clearly. 
• Empathy: An uplifting story should be able to make the reader feel as though they are one of the characters in the story. The reader should have empathy for the characters, feel immersed in the characters' journeys, and care about the problems the characters face.
• Theme universal: When authors utilize universal themes that appeal with readers, such as love, courage, sacrifice, and self-discovery, they allow for inspirational real-world parallels to be made between the story and the reader's own life. 
• Transformation:  A protagonist or central individual who goes through a transition is a common theme in inspiring stories. They might begin their journey feeling helpless or dejected, but as they continue on their path, they eventually find their inner strength and experience personal development.
• Memorable: In order to have an impact, a story must be able to stick in the reader's mind and create a lasting impression. The reader should be left thinking about them long after they have finished reading them, and they should motivate the reader to take action or make positive changes in their own life.

An effective method of boosting motivation, whether it be at home, at the business, or for one's own personal development, is to tell or read empowering stories that are based on fact and offer positive messages. This can be done either verbally or via reading. 

Check out these great Ernest Hemingway books if you want to continue reading literary masterpieces that have stood the test of time and have powerful characters and themes.