This article presents the development of short narrative forms in the United Arab Emirates from the moment of appearance of short story in this country, in the late 1960s and the ends 1970s - the time of the rapid development of current affairs journalism which played a substantial role in shaping this literary form. The article outlines individual phases of development of short narrative forms, presents the names of the pioneer writers, discusses the wide range of topics which illustrate the abundance of genre and moral scenes connected with social, political and cultural changes taking place after the United Arab Emirates acquired independence in 1971.