A ten-year-old boy named Conradin lives under the oppressive guardianship of his cousin, Mrs. de Ropp, who embodies the mundane and restrictive aspects of life that he detests. Diagnosed with a terminal illness, Conradin finds solace in his imagination and a secret tool-shed where he worships a ferret he names Sredni Vashtar, treating it as a god. His rituals involve offerings of stolen nutmeg and red flowers, contrasting sharply with Mrs. de Ropp's conventional religious practices. As Conradin's attachment to Sredni Vashtar deepens, Mrs. de Ropp grows suspicious of his secretive behavior. She eventually discovers the ferret and decides to remove it, believing it is harmful for Conradin. In a moment of desperation, Conradin prays to Sredni Vashtar for intervention, feeling the weight of impending loss and defeat. When Mrs. de Ropp enters the shed, Conradin anxiously watches from a distance, fearing the worst. However, Sredni Vashtar emerges from the shed, having killed Mrs. de Ropp, fulfilling Conradin's unspoken wish for liberation from her tyranny. As chaos ensues in the household following her death, Conradin calmly prepares and enjoys toast, reveling in the unexpected turn of events and the newfound freedom from his oppressive guardian.
By Saki · First published 1912 · Genre: Short Story, Fantasy, Gothic Fiction