By the end of the 3rd Millennium BC, (2200-2000 BC), even the "short story" was first attempted, as independent scribes entered into the philosophical arena, with stories like: The Debate between Bird and Fish, and other topics, (List of Sumerian debates).
Menjelang akhir milenium ke-3 SM, (2200-2000 SM), bahkan "cerita pendek" pun mulai coba dibuat, tatkala juru-juru tulis mandiri memasuki arena filsafat, dengan cerita-cerita seperti: Perbantahan Antara Burung Dan Ikan, dan topik-topik lain (perbantahan-perbantahan Sumeria).