The Stalled Ox by Saki (1924)
The narrative follows Theophil Eshley, a painter known for his idyllic depictions of cattle, who finds himself in an unexpected predicament when a large ox wanders into his neighbor Adela Pingsford's garden. Adela, frustrated by the intrusion, seeks Eshley's assistance to remove the animal, which is causing havoc among her freshly arranged chrysanthemums. Eshley, while familiar with painting cows, lacks practical experience in handling livestock. As the situation escalates, Eshley attempts to shoo the ox away, but his efforts are met with indifference from the animal. Adela's irritation grows as the ox continues to munch on her flowers, leading to a humorous exchange between the two. Eshley’s attempts to drive the ox out only result in it entering Adela's morning-room, further complicating matters. In a moment of defiance, Eshley decides to paint the ox in its new setting, much to Adela's dismay. She protests vehemently, but Eshley remains undeterred, arguing that the ox's presence is an opportunity for artistic inspiration. Adela, exasperated, leaves to seek help from the police, while Eshley continues to work on his painting. Eventually, the ox, perhaps sensing its time in the morning-room is up, exits the house and returns to the garden. Eshley packs up his materials, and the incident marks a turning point in his career. The resulting artwork, featuring the ox in the morning-room, becomes a sensation at the Paris Salon and garners significant acclaim, leading to further success for Eshley. Despite the artistic triumph, the relationship between Eshley and Adela remains strained, with no real reconciliation achieved. Eshley gifts her a new book and some plants, but the underlying tension persists, highlighting the absurdity and unpredictability of both art and human interactions.
By Saki · First published 1924 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Fiction · 2,124 words
First lines
Theophil Eshley was an artist by profession, a cattle painter by force of environment. It is not to be supposed that he lived on a ranch or a dairy farm, in an atmosphere pervaded with horn and hoof, milking-stool, and branding-iron. His home was in a park-like, villa-dotted district that only just escaped the reproach of being suburban. On one side of his garden there abutted a small, picturesque meadow, in which an enterprising neighbour pastured some small picturesque cows of the Channel Island persuasion. At noonday in summertime the cows stood knee-deep in tall meadow-grass under the shade of a group of walnut trees, with the sunlight falling in dappled patches on their mouse-sleek coats. Eshley had conceived and executed a dainty picture of two reposeful milch-cows in a setting of walnut tree and meadow-grass and filtered sunbeam, and the Royal Academy had duly exposed the same on the walls of its Summer Exhibition. The Royal Academy encourages orderly, methodical habits in its children. Eshley had painted a successful and acceptable picture of cattle drowsing picturesquely under walnut trees, and as he had begun, so, of necessity, he went on. His Noontide Peace, a study of two dun cows under a walnut tree, was followed by A Midday Sanctuary, a study of a walnut tree, with two dun cows under it. In due succession there came Where the Gadflies Cease from Troubling, The Haven of the Herd, and A-Dream in Dairyland, studies of walnut trees and dun cows. His two attempts to break away from his own tradition were signal failures: Turtle Doves Alarmed by Sparrow-Hawk and Wolves on the Roman Campagna came back to his studio in the guise of abominable heresies, and Eshley climbed back into grace and the public gaze with A Shaded Nook Where Drowsy Milkers Dream.
What this Textopian page supports
The Stalled Ox is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1924 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Saki
- Date: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Fiction, Short Story, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,124 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Stalled Ox by Saki
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Stalled Ox?
- How does this short story by Saki fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The story employs humor through absurd situations and witty dialogue, particularly in the interactions between Eshley and Adela.
- Satire — The narrative critiques societal norms and artistic pretensions, highlighting the absurdity of the characters' concerns.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative centered around the characters and their experiences.
- Short Story — The piece is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a single incident.
Tags
satire · humor · short stories · British literature · social commentary · irony · character study · class distinction · wit · absurdity · narrative style · dialogue