The Extraordinary Cabman
The Extraordinary Cabman is a short story by G.K. Chesterton that follows the adventures of a cab driver named Harry who has an uncanny ability to predict the future. The story begins with Harry picking up a passenger, Mr. Smith, and taking him on a wild ride through London. Along the way, Harry makes several predictions about what will happen next, all of which come true. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Harry's powers are not limited to predicting the future; he also has the ability to manipulate events in order to achieve his desired outcome. In the end, Harry uses his powers to help Mr. Smith solve a mystery and catch a criminal.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1908 · Genre: Mystery, Philosophical Fiction, Humor · 1,492 words
First lines
From time to time I have introduced into this newspaper column the narration of incidents that have really occurred. I do not mean to insinuate that in this respect it stands alone among newspaper columns. I mean only that I have found that my meaning was better expressed by some practical parable out of daily life than by any other method; therefore I propose to narrate the incident of the extraordinary cabman, which occurred to me only three days ago, and which, slight as it apparently is, aroused in me a moment of genuine emotion bordering upon despair.
What this Textopian page supports
The Extraordinary Cabman is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Philosophical Fiction, Humor, Short Story, Literary Fiction
- Length: 1,492 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Extraordinary Cabman by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Extraordinary Cabman?
- How does this short story by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- About Glass by Frank R. Stockton
- The Quest by Saki
- The Ballade Of A Strange Town by G. K. Chesterton
- Up In The Air by Frank R. Stockton
- The Flat Freak by G. K. Chesterton
- The Man Who Knew Too Much by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around an enigmatic encounter with a cabman, creating a sense of intrigue and uncertainty.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story delves into themes of certainty, skepticism, and the nature of reality, reflecting philosophical discourse.
- Humor — The writing style includes wit and irony, particularly in the depiction of the cabman and the narrator's reflections.
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single incident, characteristic of short stories.
Tags
adventure · mystery · fantasy · urban · philosophy · humor · narrative · character study · social commentary · surrealism · dialogue · imagination