This humorous story from H. H. Munro (aka Saki) describes a clever but mischievous boy’s efforts to explore the wonders of his house’s off-limits-to-children lumber-room. [Not to be confused with planks of wood, the word “lumber” here is a British term for miscellaneous stored articles.] In disgrace for putting a frog in his breakfast bowl, the boy has come up with an elaborate plan to distract his oppressive aunt while in the forbidden room. His day gets even better when the suspicious woman falls into a rain-water tank. Themes: mischief, curiosity, imagination, oppression, defiance.
Original Text / PDF / Audio (2,196 words)