Saki is his pen name. And a popular one too. He was born as H.H Munro. I became aware of him in my seventh grade when we had one of his short stories, the Storyteller, in our English literature curriculum. By that time I had already finished reading Rudyard Kipling, O.Henry, Mark Twain and more contemporary authors like J.K. Rowling and sorts. Coming across a story like The Storyteller, which is highly realistic than moralistic, was a turning point in my reading life.
That was the time when I was introduced to the concept of satire. So much of wit and humour presented in such a constructive manner – I was just awed.
And the very next book fair that happened in my 7th grade, I got myself “The Complete Works of Saki”. I was seriously blessed. And I am always thankful to God for making me capable of getting and reading the books that I have always desired.
It took me many years to read the book because I realized that not every work of his is as easy and suitable for an 11-year-old.
Good thing that I learnt from him – Beauty is only sin deep.
The very educative thing I learnt from him – It is necessary to leave space for the mouse when baiting a mousetrap with cheese.
The most practical life lesson I learnt from him – A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a ton of explanation
A beautiful thing that I learnt from him but I just don’t want to believe it – “…when once you have taken the Impossible into your calculations its possibilities become practically limitless…”
If at all you are reading this, I just want to request that please read this humble man. Trust me, he is the best of his times.