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. More…
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Filboid Studge
This story is from H.H. Munro (aka Saki)’s Chronicles of Clovis, which follows the exploits of a spoiled, upper-class young man as he causes mischief among Edwardian high society. In the story, Clovis listens as a friend tells how he won and lost the woman he loved by helping her father become very rich. This is a witty, sarcastic spoof on modern advertising. The young character shows great perception in realizing that you can sell the most vile, foul-tasting food by making people feel guilty for not buying it. This is, of course, still true today (think muesli!) More…
The Storyteller
This story by H. H. Munro (aka Saki) satirizes the way many traditional children’s stories had become so “sanitized” during the prudish Victorian period that they lost much of their original appeal. A major theme of the story is pride. The outer or “frame” story highlights the Aunt’s false pride in thinking that a bachelor couldn’t possibly tell a better children’s story than her. The inner story illustrates the meaning of the English idiom Pride comes before a fall. Other themes include childhood, curiosity, control and “goodness” vs. reality (not all things in life end happily!) More…
The Interlopers
This story by H. H. Munro (aka Saki) has perhaps the shortest surprise ending of all: a single word that comprises the last line of the story. Two families have been feuding for years over the use of a poor piece of forest land. When the heads of the families find themselves trapped under a fallen tree, they realize how silly they have been and promise to be friends for life. Sadly, just as they are looking forward to a more peaceful future, some unexpected visitors spoil it all. Themes: greed, pride, inherited hatred, man vs. nature, social class. More…
The Mouse
H. H. Munro (aka Saki) is the British master of satirical stories with surprise endings. As you read about this train journey by a prudish young man, you soon realize that it could end badly for him. He is returning home from a farm visit and feels what he thinks is a mouse in his pants. The only other person in his compartment is a young lady who appears to be sleeping. He must find a way of taking off his trousers without offending the woman or, even worse, giving her the wrong idea and causing a scene. More…
The Open Window
The British writer H. H. Munro (aka Saki), is considered the master of both the very short story and unexpected endings. In this story, a pompous hypochondriac is holidaying in a peaceful country village as treatment for a nervous condition. He doesn’t like visiting strangers, but does so as a courtesy to his sister who has written letters of introduction to people she knows there. During one such visit, an imaginative fifteen-year-old girl plays an innocent practical joke on the neurotic man, causing him to run from her house in horror. Themes: mental illness, escapism, deception, gullibility, perception (appearance vs. reality). More…
Hermann the Irascible (Story of the Great Weep)
H. H. Munro (aka Saki)’s story Hermann the Irascible is a classic example of the use of reverse psychology to achieve a desired result. The story first appeared in 1909 at the height of the suffrage movement in Britain. As in the story, this involved mass demonstrations (of both man and women) across the country. Many readers are critical of the story because they feel that it trivializes women’s rights. The point they miss is that Saki’s use of satire is so “over the top” here that, rather than mocking the cause, the story highlights and supports it. More…
Tobermory
This story is from H.H. Munro (aka Saki)’s Chronicles of Clovis, which follows the exploits of a spoiled, upper-class young man as he causes mischief among Edwardian high society. Clovis attends a weekend house-party. Among the other guests is a visiting scientist who was invited in the hope that his cleverness would contribute to the general entertainment. All are amazed when the scientist teaches Tobermory, the family house-cat, to speak perfect English. However, their wonder soon turns to anger at some of the things Tobermory has to say. This seals Tobermory’s fate. He knows too much and must be silenced! More…