SREDNI VASHTAR & ST. VESPALUUS by H.H.MUNRO (SAKI)

This episode of 1001 Classic Short Stories and Tales presents two darkly humorous and satirical stories by H.H. Munro, better known as Saki: 'Shredni Vashtar' and 'The Story of St. Vespelius.' The first, 'Shredni Vashtar,' tells the tale of a sickly, imaginative ten-year-old boy named Conradin, oppressed by his cold, controlling guardian, Mrs. DeRopp. In secret, Conradin worships a polecat ferret he names Shredni Vashtar as a god, offering it nutmeg and prayers. When his guardian destroys his sanctuary and kills his beloved hen, Conradin’s desperate prayer is answered when the ferret escapes and kills the guardian. The second story, 'St. Vespelius,' is a witty fable about a pagan king who punishes his favorite nephew, Vespelius, for pretending to convert to Christianity. The king orders the boy to be stung to death by bees, but the beekeeper disarms the insects out of sympathy. When the boy laughs through the tickling swarm, a miracle is declared, and Vespelius is hailed as a saint—though he reveals he only pretended to be a Christian to annoy the king. The story ends with the king’s downfall and Vespelius maintaining his pagan faith while being revered as a saint. The episode closes with heartfelt thank-you messages from listeners and a call to support the podcast via Patreon.