In a short story, the writer hides a special lesson, called a moral, inside the story. They don't say the lesson out loud. Instead, they use the characters and what happens in the story to show it.

A famous writer, Anton Chekhov, once said:

“It's better to show something than just talk about it”

For example, instead of saying "it's a bright night," he'd describe how moonlight sparkles on a piece of broken glass. This way, the story makes you think and feel, and the lesson sticks in your mind. It's like learning a secret from the story itself.

So read this full guide and know more about how you can explain a moral in a short story in a much better way!

Why write a morality story?

You may want to write a morality story for a few key reasons. First, morality stories allow you to share important life lessons and values in an engaging, memorable way. Using characters, settings, and plots to illustrate right and wrong can help convey messages more effectively than simply stating them.

Additionally, morality stories can provide guidance during confusing times. By showing characters grappling with ethical dilemmas, you can model productive ways to handle difficult situations. Readers may gain perspective and feel less alone in their own struggles.

Writing morality stories also encourages critical thinking skills. As readers analyze the characters' motivations and actions, they practice evaluating complex scenarios to determine what is just. This builds skills for thoughtful decision making beyond the pages of a book.

Finally, morality stories can bring people together through shared values. The themes of compassion, integrity, courage and justice resonate across cultures. Well-crafted tales remind us of our common humanity despite surface differences.

Related Information: How to Write a Story about Yourself

How do I write a morality story?

You can write an impactful morality story by following some key steps. Morality stories teach most effectively when readers fully understand characters’ motivations and connect their experiences to real life. Here are the top 9 points that will help you to write a morality story:

1. Make your story clear and explain your message clearly

When you write a morality story, you want your message to come through clearly. So first, you should define the exact lesson you aim to teach readers.

Ask yourself—what is the moral I most want to convey? Maybe it's about honesty, kindness or determination. Next, summarize this moral in 1-2 straight-forward sentences using simple words.

For example, you could say, "Lying destroys trust between friends." This clarity helps the message stick with readers when they finish.

Then, make sure the moral aligns logically with your overall plot and characters. If you claim "honesty matters" but your protagonist lies without consequence, mixed messages confuse readers. So make your story clear and explain your message in more clear words.

Also Read: How to Improve Story Writing

2. Explain your points thoroughly

The second step is you should thoroughly explain the reasons behind characters' choices using detailed examples. This builds reader understanding and connection to the moral message.

For example:

If you have a character named Jamal who cheats on a test, don't just state.

"Cheating is wrong" You should flesh out Jamal's motivations and thought process leading up to cheating. Perhaps Jamal wants acceptance from his peers who pressured him to share answers. Explain why peer pressure, while relatable, doesn't justify cheating.

Then after Jamal decides to cheat, you must explore the consequences. Show how struggling student Emilia fails the exam she diligently studied for while Jamal unfairly passes because of copying answers.

When readers witness the unjust impacts first-hand, they grasp more deeply why cheating is unethical. By explaining thought processes behind choices with concrete examples - like friends pressuring Jamal or diligent Emilia's sadness - you help cement the moral about integrity and honesty.

Readers connect well when characters and situations feel realistic even in their flaws. So the details of story explanation matters a lot.

3. Connect more to your story's themes and overall plot

When writing a morality story the third step is to avoid sounding preachy. Morals come across forced if they don't fit the characters and overall narrative flow. So integrate lessons smoothly into plot events and themes.

For example:

Say your story has themes of friendship, hardship and perseverance. Your protagonist Jada moves across the country after her dad loses his job, leaving behind her best friend. Jada must find courage to make new friends.

Jada could choose to bitterly isolate herself out of missing her old life. But you show Jada realizing that though change is hard, befriending classmates helps her adjust in positive ways. Their kindness during difficult times exemplifies friendship's power to uplift.

This moral about connection during life transitions blends naturally with existing themes of relationships helping us through hardship. Because the moral fits Jada's personal arc and broader ideas, it resonates more deeply than a random lecture about “being nice."

4. Add feelings and personal thoughts to your writing

Adding feelings and personal thoughts to your writing will help you to avoid making characters one-dimensional "placeholders" to spout lessons. Instead, develop them as complex human beings through revealing their personal thoughts and emotions behind choices.

For example:

Terry nervously decides whether to cheat on a difficult exam. Don't just state "Terry cheated." Help readers deeply understand Terry's decision making by adding internal dialogue:

"Terry's heart pounded as seconds ticked down on the timer. Panic clouded his judgment. He always struggled with tests and believed a failing grade here would destroy his college chances.

Maybe stealing a quick peek wouldn't hurt... Before regret set in, Terry hastily copied a smart student's answer."

This inner monologue from Terry adds emotional weight and moral difference. Readers empathize, even as they disagree with cheating. When you make characters psychologically real, their choices become reflections of "What would I do under pressure?" rather than just abstract "right or wrong"

So allow characters room for moral dilemmas by fleshing out their self-dialogue. When readers connect emotionally to characters' reasoning for choices right or wrong.

5. Tell a moral story from different viewpoints

When crafting a morality tale, avoid showing only the protagonist's limited perspective. Instead, include multiple characters' rich reactions to the same events. This deepens readers' moral analysis.

For instance:

 Your story involves school athlete Emma accepting steroids from her ambitious father. First show optimistic Emma's viewpoint, wanting to honor her dad's dream of a scholarship.

Then contrast with Emma's friend Luis who notices she's cheating and feels disappointed she took shortcuts he was too tempted by. Show the coach proudly giving Emma more playtime, unaware she broke rules.

Each perspective adds insight: Emma's family pressures reveal her rationalizations though she knows it’s wrong deep down. Luis shows the stigma and jealousy athletes face when standing on principle rather than doping to compete. The coach reminds that cheating also victimizes those who work hard fairly.

This kaleidoscope of angles on Emma’s choice allows readers to weigh individuals’ motives rather than accept a single sermon against “bad steroids.”

When you portray complex emotions and reasoning instead of judging characters, readers reach deeper understanding. There are many lives affected beyond just the protagonist.

6. Explain why it's good to read your story through its morals

When writing a morality tale, don’t assume readers automatically understand the importance of the lessons. Help them directly connect the moral to improving their lives. Explain specific benefits gained from digesting the difficult theme.

For example:

Say your story follows widow Mrs. Chang overcoming grief through volunteering. Show the emotional progression: first she cries daily missing her husband. Then slowly by comforting hospitalized kids without families, Mrs. Chang realizes she still has love and purpose to offer, healing her loss.

Don’t just end there. Reinforce the moral by explicitly linking her emotional journey to readers:

“Like Mrs. Chang learned, reaching out to help others when you feel sorrowful or purposeless can fill your life with renewed meaning. The many children she uplifted out of loneliness gave her days joy again.

When you face loss, find ways to plant seeds of love through service. This moral story shows one path to emotional healing.”

7. Finish your story with your readers in mind and keep it simple

When concluding a morality story, make sure to relate the moral directly back to readers' experiences.

For example:

Your story followed entrepreneur Will who ignored his moral compass by betraying his business partner to make quick money. In the end, Will loses everything except the ability to learn from past mistakes.

Address readers plainly:

"If you feel tempted to cut corners like Will once did on his way up the corporate ladder, remember that ethical choices build strong communities in the long run. Though it may seem expedient to lie or cheat to get ahead, you risk losing relationships. Friends and partners should get your honesty and care, not ill treatment."

Relatability matters more than elegant turns of phrase when directly inspiring readers to apply morals learned to their real decisions.

Use conversational language they hear chatting with a guidance counselor or wise friend over coffee. When lessons feel practical and actionable in familiar tones, you achieve the purpose of instructing through storytelling - improving young lives.

8. Think about what people expect in different types of stories

When writing morality tales in distinct genres, tailor your messaging to reader expectations of that style.

For example:

In children's fables, directly state positive morals through the characters’ dialogue and actions. The animals in Aesop’s classic tales overtly role model kindness, hard work ethics, quick wits - allowing kids to easily grasp lessons.

Whereas for young adult or literary fiction appealing to teens, make moral takeaways more subtle and layered. 

Literary elements like symbolism, irony and shifting perspectives can reveal various moral messages without heavy-handed judgment. Readers grow through emotionally resonating with complex situations.

So adapt moral messaging strategies intentionally based on audiences’ expectations. Children benefit from overt positive examples while older readers analyze richer shades of morality through characters’ authentic failures and evolutions.

Read also: 24 Types of Story Writing

9. Be direct and keep it natural when explaining your points

When you incorporate lessons into your morality story, try to avoid overt "preaching" that feels heavy-handed or forced. At the same time, total clarity around objectives can clearly explain your message. It's important to strike a careful balance.

As the writer, look for authentic places within plot events to reinforce your moral without derailing characters’ voices.

For example:

After a conflict caused by the protagonist Jenny’s thoughtless gossiping and rumor spreading damages her friendship with Alexis, you can directly state lessons learned through Jenny:

“Tears welled up in Jenny’s eyes confronting the harm she caused from petty speech without considering feelings. She promised herself and Alexis that moving forward, she would pause to choose words bringing people together, not tearing them apart.”

Because this moral explanation aligns with Jenny’s emotional arc after inflicting pain from callousness, it avoids abrupt didacticism disconnected from the narrative.

Readers most often appreciate clarity while staying immersed in the characters’ authentic growth arcs stemming from moral struggles.

There is an online tool “short story generator” which works on the principles and advanced algorithms of AI technology and generates meaningful stories. So give it a try and create interesting and unique stories.

Final thoughts

Morality stories allow writers to share important wisdom through engaging narrative. By clearly conveying your message, developing relatable characters, and connecting your moral to the broader themes.

Explain why your lesson matters and keep readers in mind by using straightforward language and examples.

While writing morality stories requires thoughtfulness and care, the effort is well worth it. An effective moral tale can provide guidance, encourage critical thinking, and bring people together through promoting virtues. Writers have a unique opportunity to contribute positively through stories that edify and enlighten.

As an author, know that your thoughtful words and lessons matter and can make a difference. If done well through showing rather than just telling, a moral story may stay with someone and shape their character in a meaningful way.

In this article we have provided you some examples of well-known morality stories if helpful. Please feel free to give any additional suggestions to improve the writing and your feedback too!