You could omit anything if you knew that the omitted part would strengthen the short story and make people feel something more than they understood

You know lots of criticism is written by characters who are very academic and think it is a sign you are worthless if you make jokes or kid or even clown. I wouldn't kid Our Lord if he was on the cross. But I would attempt a joke with him if I ran into him chasing the money changers out of the temple.

Show the readers everything, tell them nothing.

For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.

This was a big storm and he might as well enjoy it. It was ruining everything, but you might as well enjoy it

I am trying to make, before I get through, a picture of the whole world--or as much of it as I have seen. Boiling it down always, rather than spreading it out too thin. (On Writing.)

[Never give up hope. Never give in to pessimism. Never despair.] No horse named Morbid ever won a race!