Does mule have a short vowel sound?

Yes, the word "mule" has a short vowel sound. The vowel "u" in "mule" is pronounced as a short "u" sound, similar to the "u" in "cup" or "sun".

It's important to note that the "e" at the end of "mule" is silent. This is a common pattern in English words, where the final "e" is silent and the preceding vowel has a short sound.