Stories are about adversity and conflict. How characters deal with adversity can create comedy, drama, romance, action, mystery and a world of other emotions and themes, but without adversity, there is no story to tell. Here are some examples of how adversity and conflict are created. Any longer work will contain most or all of these adversities. This, depending on the writer, is generally the most adverse situation that characters face.
Death is a universal theme that dates back to the very first stories ever told.
The Epic of Gilgamesh , The Iliad , and The Bible all concern characters trying to deal with death. One character misunderstands another character or circumstance and all of the characters must deal with the consequences. Miscommunication is a classic Shakespearean theme. Romeo and Juliet die due to miscommunication. King Lear disowns his daughter because of miscommunication.