Final answer:
True, conflict is a key element in storytelling and represents a main struggle central to the character's development, making stories engaging by introducing tensions and propelling the themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conflict is a recurring theme in storytelling, embodying the struggles between characters, nations, or natural forces, which captivates readers and viewers. Such conflicts indeed make for fascinating stories as they form the crux of the narrative arc in most literature. In a short story, conflict is typically central to the main character's journey, presenting a main struggle that drives the plot forward. This struggle can be an external conflict, such as a character versus another character or natural forces, or it can be an internal conflict, where the character faces emotional issues or moral dilemmas.
A theme is the underlying message or insight revealed through a narrative. It transcends the events in the story to offer comments on the human condition, society, or life in general. Whether a story leans more towards plot-driven or character-driven narratives, conflict introduces tension and engages readers, propelling the story and its themes.