About the Author
Sinclair Lewis was an American writer born on February 7, 1885, in a small town in the USA. He loved telling stories about everyday people and their funny or sad lives. Lewis wrote many books that made fun of big problems like greed or fake smiles in society. His most famous book is Babbitt, about a man who acts too proud. In 1930, he became the first American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, a big award for great writing. Lewis liked cars and small towns, just like in this story. He passed away on January 10, 1951, but his books still make us laugh and think.
What’s the Story About?
This is a funny story about a young man's first big job that turns into a big joke on him. It's like a trick played by a clever uncle. Let me tell it step by step in easy words, so you can laugh along like watching a cartoon.
The story is told by a young lawyer who just finished school. He works for a big law office in the city. One day, his boss gives him a job: Go to a faraway village called New Mullion and give a paper called a summons to a man named Oliver Lutkins. This paper says Lutkins must come to court for an old fight about land money. The young man feels excited – it's his first trip alone! He packs his bag, takes a train, and reaches the dusty village station on a sunny day.
At the station, he looks for Lutkins but sees no one. A friendly man with a horse and cart – called a hack driver – comes up. The driver wears old clothes and a big smile. He says his name is Bill and asks if the young man needs a ride. The lawyer tells him about Lutkins. Bill laughs and says, "I know him well! He's always hiding from work. I'll help you find him for 2 dollars an hour." The lawyer agrees, happy for the help.
Bill drives the cart around the village. First, they go to Lutkins' old house, but his mother says he left early for the poolroom. Then, to the poolroom, but the owner says Lutkins went to Fritz's shop. At Fritz's, the barber jokes that Lutkins owes him money and ran off. They check Gray's barber shop too – more laughs, but no Lutkins. Bill chats with everyone, making the lawyer feel like they're old friends. The village looks sleepy with dusty roads, small shops, and chickens running around.
By noon, they're hungry. Bill takes the lawyer to his wife's house for lunch – fresh pork, gravy, and hot pies. Bill's wife is kind and teases Bill about his lazy ways. The lawyer eats happily and forgets his worry a bit. After lunch, they try more places: Lutkins' mother's house again. She is a small, tired woman who says her son is at the grocery. But no luck there. Bill feels bad and says, "We almost got him, but he slipped away."
The sun sets, and the lawyer has to catch the evening train back empty-handed. He feels sad and gives Bill extra money as a tip. Just then, another hack driver arrives from the city with a message: The boss wants the lawyer to stay and try again tomorrow. The new driver looks at Bill and says, "Hey, aren't you Oliver Lutkins?" Bill laughs and says, "Yes, that's me!" The young lawyer's face turns red – he got tricked the whole day! Lutkins was the driver, driving him in circles for fun and money. Lutkins winks and says, "Sorry, kid, but you looked like easy fun."
The lawyer goes back to the city feeling like a fool. The next day, the office sends a tough man to do the job. The story ends with the lawyer thinking how looks can fool you – a simple driver turned out smarter than a city boy.
It's a light-hearted tale that shows village wit beats city book-smarts.
Who’s Who in the Story
The story has a few main people, like players in a village game. Here they are, simple and clear:
- The Young Lawyer (Narrator): The main teller, a new worker full of dreams. He is smart from books but gets fooled easily. He learns a lesson the hard way.
- Oliver Lutkins (Bill): The clever hack driver who is Lutkins himself! He is tall, friendly, with a mustache and quick smile. He tricks the lawyer but is kind-hearted, not mean.
- Lutkins' Mother: A short, old woman with white hair and sharp eyes. She protects her son and chats wisely, making the lawyer feel at home.
- Bill's Wife: A warm lady who cooks a big lunch. She calls the lawyer "young man" and laughs at her husband's stories.
- Other Villagers: Like Fritz the barber and shop owners – funny side friends who join the joke without knowing it.
No big family or crowd – just these folks in a small town adventure.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Main Ideas)
The story shares some easy ideas, like pictures in a book:
- Looks Can Fool You: A simple driver seems helpful but hides a smart trick. Don't judge by clothes or smiles.
- City vs Village Life: City boys with big words lose to village folks with quick wits and warm food.
- Fun in Tricks: Life has laughs when someone plays a gentle joke, not a mean one.
Moral (The Lesson)
The main lesson is: Don't trust too fast without checking – even nice faces can hide surprises. Be smart like the village man, use your head along with your heart. It also says kindness wins, like Lutkins sharing lunch even in his game. Treat people well, and learn from falls – they make you stronger, like the lawyer's funny day.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
I picked easy words and lines from the story. Each has a plain meaning and a sample sentence. Practice them like new games!
- Summons: A paper from court telling someone to come and answer questions. Example: The policeman gave a summons to the speeding car driver.
- Hack: An old car or horse cart for hire, like a taxi in villages. Example: We took a hack to the fair because the bus was late.
- Magnuson: A made-up name, like a fake tag on a bag. Example: He called himself Johnson, but his real name was Pat.
- Poolroom: A place with a table game where you hit balls with sticks, not for swimming. Example: Boys play in the poolroom after school, laughing loud.
- Barber: A man who cuts hair and shaves faces with scissors and razor. Example: The barber gave me a funny haircut that made everyone smile.
- Gravy: A tasty sauce made from meat juice, poured on rice or bread. Example: Mom's chicken with gravy is my favorite dinner.
- Moustache: Hair grown above the lip, like a small brush on the face. Example: Grandpa's curly moustache tickles when he kisses you.
- Wink: To close one eye quickly, like a secret nod. Example: She winked at me to say, "Don't tell the surprise!"
- Phrase: "Slipped away": Ran off quietly without being seen, like a cat in the night. Example: The thief slipped away before the guard turned around.
- Phrase: "Made a fool of": Tricked someone to look silly, like a prank on April Fool's Day. Example: My brother made a fool of me by hiding my shoes.
- Phrase: "Dusty roads": Paths covered in dry dirt that flies up when you walk. Example: We coughed on the dusty roads during the dry summer.
Spot these in the story and use them in your chats – they make talking fun, like sharing village tales!