About the Author
Saki, whose real name was Hector Hugh Munro, was a British writer born in 1870 in Burma (now Myanmar). He loved making funny stories with clever twists at the end that surprise you. His tales often poke fun at grown-ups and show how kids can be smarter than they seem. Saki wrote short stories and plays, and his famous ones are in books like The Chronicles of Clovis. Sadly, he died in World War I while fighting as a soldier. His stories still make us laugh and think about how silly people can be.
What’s the Story About?
This is a super funny story about a mix-up that makes everyone laugh (except one person!). It starts with a man named Framton Nuttel. He is very nervous and jumpy, like someone who gets scared easily. His doctor says he needs a quiet break in the countryside to calm his nerves. So, Framton moves to a small village where he doesn't know anyone. His sister gives him letters to introduce him to some nice families there.
One afternoon, Framton visits the house of Mrs. Sappleton. But she's not free yet, so her young niece, Vera, who is about 15 years old, talks to him in the living room. Vera is quick and clever, and she loves a good joke. To pass the time, she asks Framton why he's visiting. He explains he's here to rest his tired mind and hasn't met anyone yet.
Now, here's where the fun begins! Vera looks sad and starts telling Framton a spooky story. She says that three years ago, Mrs. Sappleton's husband and two brothers-in-law went out hunting with their little brown dog. They never came back—they got lost in a bog (a wet, muddy place) and drowned. Mrs. Sappleton is still heartbroken. Every day, she keeps a big French window open in the living room, hoping they will walk back through it one day, covered in mud and carrying their wet guns.
Framton feels sorry for her and promises not to talk about sad things. Just then, Mrs. Sappleton comes in, all cheerful and chatty. She talks about hunting and how she wishes her husband and brothers would come home soon. Framton thinks she's lost her mind from grief, and he feels even more uncomfortable. He tries to make small talk but keeps staring at the open window.
Suddenly, Vera gives a little scream. Framton looks out and sees three men and a dog walking across the lawn toward the house! They look just like the ones in Vera's story—tired, muddy, with guns on their shoulders. Mrs. Sappleton cries out happily, "Here they are at last!" The men come in, saying it was a terrible day with lots of rain, and the dog is so wet!
Framton can't take it anymore. He thinks he's seeing ghosts! He grabs his hat and stick, screams "I forgot my medicine!" and runs out of the house like the wind, jumping over the garden fence without even opening the gate. Vera, Mrs. Sappleton, and the family are shocked. Later, Vera tells her aunt and cousins that poor Framton had hallucinations—he once saw a ghost of an aunt who fell into a pond. She says the sight of the dog (which looked like the drowned one) made him go mad and run away.
But the truth? It was all Vera's clever trick! The men were alive and well, just back from a real hunt. Vera made up the whole ghost story to scare the boring visitor. The story ends with her secretly giggling to herself, proud of her naughty prank. It's a tale that shows how a little lie can lead to big laughs!
Who’s Who in the Story
- Framton Nuttel: The main visitor. He is a nervous man from the city who comes to the countryside to relax. He gets tricked and runs away in a panic.
- Vera: Mrs. Sappleton's niece, about 15 years old. She is smart, quick-witted, and loves playing jokes. She makes up the ghost story to fool Framton.
- Mrs. Sappleton: A friendly lady who loves hunting and her family. She is cheerful and doesn't know about Vera's trick.
- Mr. Sappleton and his Brothers-in-Law: Mrs. Sappleton's husband and two brothers. They are hunters who return home muddy and tired, looking like "ghosts" to Framton.
- Ronnie: Mrs. Sappleton's young brother. He is playful and teases his sister about her missing family, adding to the fun mood.
- Framton's Sister: Mentioned at the start. She knows the Sappletons and gives Framton the letter to visit them.
Themes and Moral
Themes:
- Tricks and Humor: The story is full of laughs from Vera's clever prank. It shows how a small fib can turn a boring visit into wild excitement.
- Nerves and Fear: Framton is so jumpy that a made-up tale scares him silly. It reminds us how our worries can make us see things that aren't there.
- Country Life vs City Worries: The peaceful village hides funny surprises, while the city man brings his fears along.
- Kids' Cleverness: Young people like Vera can outsmart grown-ups with their quick thinking and imagination.
Moral:
The main lesson is: Don't let your fears control you, or a harmless joke might send you running! But also, a bit of fun and imagination can brighten dull days—just be careful who you trick. Life is better with a smile, and sometimes, the best stories are the ones that aren't true.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
- Nerves – Your feelings inside that make you worried or jumpy, like butterflies in your tummy.
- Countryside – Quiet green areas outside the city, with fields, farms, and fresh air.
- Spite – Doing something mean just to annoy someone, like a naughty trick.
- Bog – A soft, wet, muddy ground that can swallow things up, like quicksand.
- Hallucinations – Seeing or hearing things that aren't really there, like dreams when awake.
- Remedy – A fix or cure for a problem, like medicine for a cold.
- Excursion – A short trip or outing, often for fun, like a picnic.
- Cyclostyled – Copies made on a simple machine, like old-school printing.
- Retriever – A type of dog that brings back things, like sticks during play or hunts.
- Partridges – Small birds that people hunt for food or sport.
- Spaniel – A friendly dog with floppy ears, often used in hunting.
- Bet – A fun promise, like "I'll bet you can't do that!"
- Havoc – Big mess or damage, like chaos after a wild party.
- Empathy – Feeling what someone else feels, like being sad when your friend is.
- Rigid – Stiff and not bending, like a straight stick.
- Gaped – Stared with your mouth open in surprise, like "Wow!"
- Incongruous – Something that doesn't fit or match, like a clown at a serious meeting.
- Deplorable – Really sad or bad, like a broken toy you love.
- Affliction – A problem or sickness that bothers you, like a headache.
- Pacify – To calm someone down, like hugging a crying baby.
- Scandalous – Shocking or naughty, like a big secret everyone whispers about.
- Vague – Not clear or exact, like a fuzzy memory.
- Epistle – A fancy word for a letter, like a note to a friend.
- Pathetic – Very sad or making you feel sorry, like a lost puppy.
- Absurd – Silly or not making sen