The Stalled Ox

H.H. Munro, better known by the pen name Saki, was a prolific Scottish author of the Edwardian era, considered as the master of short stories and compared to O Henry and Dorothy Parker. He is best known for his witty, sometimes whimsical, often cynical and bizarre short stories – his works is the attempt to satirize the social pretension, unkindness, and stupidity through the flippant wit and acerbic humor.

“The Stalled Ox” is a humorous short story about a painter who guided an ox into his neighbor's living room and painted the scene of the ox eating up the neighbor's dearest flowers and flower-plants. Well, he was an award-winning painter but practically he was useless. The author depicts the portrait of man, which is indeed a caricature of society.

As well as other Saki’s stories, this one is characterized by pithiness and black humor. All characters make the reader laugh, so you will certainly enjoy reading it!