The Yarkand Manner by Saki (1912)

Name: The Yarkand Manner
Author: Saki

A leisurely stroll through the Zoological Society's Gardens leads to a discussion between Sir Lulworth Quayne and his nephew about the phenomenon of migration, both in animals and humans. Sir Lulworth recounts a peculiar trend among London newspapers, where entire editorial staffs abandoned their posts for various exotic locations, notably Eastern Turkestan. This migration, dubbed the "Drang nach Osten," was marked by a thorough commitment, with all key personnel participating, leaving only an office-boy behind. The Daily Intelligencer's ambitious journey resulted in a series of articles that, while maintaining some editorial standards, reflected a newfound bluntness in foreign affairs. This shift garnered public interest but alarmed government officials, leading to a confrontation with the paper's staff, who were mysteriously absent. The office-boy revealed that the entire editorial team had been captured by brigands during their return journey, and a ransom demand had been issued, which he chose to suppress. In the interim, the office-boy took it upon himself to keep the paper running, forging signatures and producing content, particularly in foreign affairs, which he crafted himself. To explain the absence of the staff to their families, he sent letters imitating their handwriting, claiming they were enjoying the allure of Eastern life. This deception led to several wives embarking on fruitless searches for their husbands in remote regions. Ultimately, the office-boy's resourcefulness allowed the paper to return to normalcy, while the original staff remained in captivity, with the boy continuing his career in journalism. The narrative explores themes of ambition, deception, and the absurdities of human behavior in the face of crisis.

By Saki · First published 1912 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary · 1,973 words

First lines

Sir Lulworth Quayne was making a leisurely progress through the Zoological Society's Gardens in company with his nephew, recently returned from Mexico. The latter was interested in comparing and contrasting allied types of animals occurring in the North American and Old World fauna.

"One of the most remarkable things in the wanderings of species," he observed, "is the sudden impulse to trek and migrate that breaks out now and again, for no apparent reason, in communities of hitherto stay-at-home animals."

What this Textopian page supports

The Yarkand Manner is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1912 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: 1912 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary, Fiction, Adventure
Length: 1,973 words
Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Similar titles

Genres

Satire — The story critiques the absurdities of journalism and societal behaviors through humor and irony.
Comedy — The narrative employs comedic elements, particularly in the portrayal of the office-boy and the farcical situations surrounding the newspaper staff.
Social Commentary — The work reflects on social dynamics and the impact of environment on behavior, particularly in the context of journalism.
Fiction — The story is a fictional narrative that explores themes of migration and identity within a constructed plot.