The story-tellerSaki

Saki Hector Hugh Munro 

• British writer

• Witty, mischievous and sometimes macabre stories.

• A master of short story.

The story-teller

Aunt’s story vs. bachelor’s story Bachelor’s story: Horribly good girl, clicking medals, an

invitation in the prince’s garden Wolf, spotless clean pinafore, clicking sound Climax (or anticlimax): good girl eaten by the

wolf An unusual story Function: silence the noisy children (non-

educational) Feedback: beautiful (children) improper

(aunt)

Aunt’s story: Good girl, good friends, saved when danger comes.

A typical story guardian may narrate to a kid.

Function: teaching Feedback: not welcomed (children simply don’t listen)

"It's the stupidest story I've ever heard," said the bigger of the small girls, with immense conviction.

"I didn't listen after the first bit, it was so stupid," said Cyril.

"The story began badly," said the smaller of the small girls, "but it had a beautiful ending."

"It is the most beautiful story that I ever heard," said the bigger of the small girls, with immense decision.

"It is the ONLY beautiful story I have ever heard."

A typical Saki storyChildren are not spotless angels as what most

adults figure. They have their feelings, their imagination and their own estimation of the world. They also possess the power of fright and cruelty that most adults choose to ignore.

Other examples: Shredni Vashtar, the Toys of Peace

Symbols

The Good Girl represents less a specific person or

demographic than an ideal Exceptional goodness

The Garden represents the rewards of virtue the garden is more of a place of interest

rather than of pleasure. The Pigs

Moderation The Wolf

represents misfortune

Theme

In the reality,not everything good and positive is rewarded with something good.

“The Storyteller” is a cynical antidote to crude didacticism.

Insisting everything should have a moral is stupid.