These open ended stories leave something in the ending to the imagination. In some, like “The Lady, or the Tiger”, the missing part is a major plot-point. The story feels unfinished. I’ve marked the stories most like this with an *. I haven’t come across a lot of this type. In other short stories with ambiguous endings, the author strongly implies the broad strokes of the resolution, but the details aren’t laid out, or there’s room for interpretation or doubt.
Let’s start with one of the best known short stories with an unresolved ending, and possibly the story that brought you to this page. If you haven’t read this one yet, you’ll get to experience a classic for the first time. Enjoy!
Open Ended Stories
*“The Lady, or the Tiger?” by Frank Stockton
A long time ago, a barbaric king had a peculiar method of putting criminals on trial. They’re placed in an arena and the public is allowed to attend the proceedings. The accused is brought out before the king. Opposite him are two doors. Behind one is a beautiful woman; behind the other, a hungry tiger. The accuser must choose.
This is the first story in the preview of The Lady, or the Tiger? and Other Stories. (Select Paperback preview first, then Kindle)
“The Discourager of Hesitancy” by Frank Stockton
A year after the events of “The Lady, or the Tiger”, a delegation from a far country arrives at the palace. They’ve heard the story, and are seeking the resolution. Before answering, the high officer relates another story that happened shortly after. A Prince from another land arrived, asking the King for permission to marry one of the beautiful ladies of the court. The King granted the request, but not in the way the Prince was hoping.
Read “The Discourager of Hesitancy”
*“The She-Wolf” by Giovanni Verga
A woman, Pina, is known in her village as the She-wolf because she prowls for the men and is never satisfied. While working out in the field one day, she becomes fixated on a handsome young man, Nanni. (Summary)
This story can be read in the sample of The She-Wolf and Other Stories (70% in).
“The Whole Town’s Sleeping” by Ray Bradbury
Lavinia and Francine walk to Helen’s house. Francine is worried about the Lonely One, someone who’s been strangling women in the area. Lavinia is dismissive of the danger. They take a short cut through the ravine. They come across the body of a missing woman. Francine is distraught; Lavinia convinces her to continue their evening. (Summary)
This story can be read in the Amazon sample of Bradbury Stories. (10% in)
“The Double House” by Nancy Hale
Robert is an eleven-year old who’s weak, different and unpopular at school. He gets strength from his father, a happy and encouraging man who assures him that things will improve when he gets older. (Summary)
This story can be read in the sample of Where the Light Falls: Selected Stories of Nancy Hale (55% in).
“The October Game” by Ray Bradbury
Mich puts the gun away. He wants his wife, Louise, to suffer more than that. It’s the last evening of October. They’re preparing to host a party. Their daughter, Marion, gets her costume ready. Mich thinks about why he’s unhappy, and what he’s going to do. (Summary)
“The October Game” (PDF)
*“The Wolves of Circassia” by Daniel Mason
Seine is a home care worker living with an older couple, their grown son and grandson. The old man doesn’t remember his family anymore and says the same things every day. The old man and his grandson are most comfortable with each other. (Summary)
This story can be read in the sample of The Best Short Stories 2022: The O. Henry Prize Winners (48% in).
“The Semplica Girl Diaries” by George Saunders
A forty-year-old father of three starts a diary to inform future readers how life is in the present. He chronicles the events leading up to the thirteenth birthday party of his oldest daughter, Lilly. The family is middle-class, but they live beyond their means. The father wants to buy his daughter an expensive present, and also wants a status symbol to show off to the neighbors. (Summary)
“Love Letter” by George Saunders
A grandfather advises his grandson, Robbies, on a delicate matter regarding J, who was arrested for withholding information about two of her friends. The prevailing political forces make it risky to get involved. He tries to explain how things got this way. (Summary)
“The Love of a Good Woman” by Alice Munro
A museum in Walley has a box of optometrist’s instruments that were owned by D. M. Willens, who drowned in the Peregrine River decades ago. It was found by an anonymous donor. Three boys who were out exploring on a spring morning first spotted the car and the body submerged in the river. In another thread, Enid is providing homecare for Mrs. Quinn, a young woman dying of kidney failure.
This longer story can be read in the preview of Family Furnishings: Selected Stories. (13% into Kindle preview)
*“Fermi and Frost” by Frederik Pohl
Timothy is a nine-year-old boy at JFK airport. He’s been separated from his parents and he’s filthy. The terminal is packed with refugees looking for a flight. A nuclear sub has fired on another sub. Everyone knows the missiles will soon be launched at the landmasses. Meanwhile, Harry Malibert, who was on his way to a seminar at the British Interplanetary Society, ends up tending to Timothy in the confusion.
This story can be read in the preview of the anthology Armageddons. (29% into preview)
“Life Sentence” by Matthew Baker
A man, Washington, is brought home by the police to his wife, son and daughter. He doesn’t remember them. He’s still a bit groggy from the procedure. His wife has prepared his favorite meal, but he doesn’t remember that either. He wants to know what he did, but his wife doesn’t want to talk about it. The next day, he gets his first visit from his reintroduction supervisor, who will help him adjust to the change.
This story can be read in the preview of The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020. (38% in)
*“The Garbage Collector” by Ray Bradbury
A garbage collector gets up at five every morning to do his job. He does it well, and some days he really likes it. One day after work he’s unusually quiet. Something happened that day that changed the job for him. A new directive was issued to garbage collectors. (Summary)
*“Bug Eater” by Nathan M. Beauchamp
The tribe’s men haven’t returned after three days and everyone knows there won’t be any food. Angi has been breeding generations of beetles, looking for a sustainable food source. She’s getting closer, but no one appreciates her work. They’re going to have to draw lots. Grandfather urges her to leave while she can.
This story can be read in the preview of OCEANS: The Anthology. (16% in)
*“Unreasonable Doubt” by Stanley Ellin
Mr. Willoughby is on vacation to calm his nerves and relax, on the advice of his doctor. While resting on a train, he overhears an experienced lawyer telling a story about the most interesting case he ever had. Hosea Snow, the richest man in town, was found murdered; one of his nephews, Ben, was arrested for the crime.
This story can be read in the preview of Mark Twain’s Medieval Romance. (22% in) This anthology was originally called Uncertain Endings, and contains many stories where questions are left unanswered.
Open Ended Short Stories with Ambiguous Endings, Cont’d
“A Dilemma” by S. Weir Mitchell
A man is called to the deathbed of his Uncle Philip. His uncle hated his mother, so this is the first time they have met. Uncle Philip has made a lot of money, and owns a valuable gem collection. Uncle Philip wants to end the family grudge and be remembered fondly. He will leave his collection of precious stones to his nephew. Uncle Philip warns him to be sure he reads the accompanying letter before anything else.
This story can also be read in the above preview of Mark Twain’s Medieval Romance. (50% in)
“Nunc Dimittis” by Roald Dahl
The narrator, Lionel, writes the story of his outrageous behavior toward a friend of his, Janet. He’s ashamed and embarrassed by how things went. The trouble started when he escorted Gladys home one evening. She roped him into staying a while and told him a secret. She also told him that Janet had said something about him.
Some of this story can also be read in the above preview of Mark Twain’s Medieval Romance. (70% in)
“Steady Customer” by Bernard Malamud
The waitresses at Mr. Mollendorf’s diner are crying. A fellow waitress, Eileen, died during a gallbladder operation. She was only twenty-eight. They try to continue with their work, but no one wants to take over Eileen’s tables. The waitresses realize that Eileen’s steady customer is going to come in and someone is going to have to tell him.
This story can be read in the preview of The Complete Stories. (63% in)
“Calved” by Sam J. Miller
A father sees his son, Thede, after being away on a job for three months. Thede has changed; he’s a teenager so he’s grown some, but more importantly his demeanor is different. His eyes are flat and joyless. They have trouble connecting. Thede’s mother says he’s having some trouble at school with bullies. The dad has a sentimental gift for Thede that he hopes will turn the tide.
This story can be read in the preview of The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume 1. (32% in)
“Black Man and White Woman in Dark Green Rowboat” by Russell Banks
During a heat wave, a man and woman go out on a boat and discuss a major decision that the woman has made. (Summary)
*“All That You Love Will Be Carried Away” by Stephen King
Alfie, a salesman, pulls into a Motel 6 for the evening. He takes his notebook with him but leaves his samples in the car. He won’t need them tonight, or ever. On his way in, he sees the lights of a farmhouse in the distance and thinks about the family inside. He settles into his room, opens his briefcase, takes out the gun, and puts it at the head of the bed. He reads through some of the entries in his notebook that he’s been compiling for the last seven years. He gets ready to end everything, but is a bit concerned about the impression the notebook might give.
“L. T.’s Theory of Pets” by Stephen King
L. T. likes to tell the story of how his wife left him, but he doesn’t like talking about how she’s likely dead now, a victim of the Axe Man. Arriving home from work one day he found the garage door open and her car gone. Inside, there’s a note from her on the fridge telling him she’s left him and detailing her reasons. L. T. believes a lot of their problems came from their two pets—a dog she bought for him and a cat he bought for her. She says she’s going to her mother’s but she never arrives.
“The Blind Spot” by Barry Perowne
Annixter, a playwright, has been drinking for a while, to get over a disappointment with a woman. He meets a man in a similar situation at the Casa Havana. Annixter tells the man his idea for an ingenious locked-room mystery, inspired by his heartbreak. It’s the best idea he’s ever had. After leaving the club, Annixter steps obliviously into the street and is hit by a taxi. His injuries aren’t serious, but there is a problem—he’s forgotten the ending to his play. He goes back to the Casa Havana to find his drinking companion.
“The Wives of the Dead” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The narrator relates a story that generated some interest about a hundred years ago in the Bay Province. Two women, married to two brothers, received the news that their husbands had been killed on consecutive days. Many guests came to offer condolences, and in their shared grief, they comforted each other.
I’ll keep adding open ended short stories and short stories with ambiguous endings as I find more.