# The Sheep explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Saki.

## What happens

Rupert is frustrated by his sister Kathleen's choice of fiancé, a man he calls 'the Sheep'—a bumbling, self-satisfied fool who ruins a bridge game, shoots a protected honey-buzzard, loses an election with a thoughtless remark, and ultimately drowns after ignoring warnings about unsafe ice. Rupert's rescue attempt is thwarted by a yard-dog, but he later keeps the dog as a companion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Moral Facade

The Sheep's apologetic smile and self-satisfaction mask his incompetence and the harm he causes, while Rupert's hatred simmers beneath polite bitterness.

### The Futility of Ambition

The Sheep's attempts to contribute—whether in bridge, shooting, or politics—end in disaster, culminating in his pointless death.

### Cruelty and Violence

The accidental killing of the honey-buzzard and the Sheep's drowning, along with the dog's aggressive attack on Rupert, highlight the violence lurking in everyday life.

## Character check-ins

### Rupert

The protagonist, a skilled bridge player and hunter who despises his sister's fiancé, the Sheep. He loses his son in India and is protective of his property.

### Kathleen

Rupert's sister, who chooses to marry the Sheep despite having a better suitor in Malcolm Athling. She later stays with Rupert and her husband.

### Malcolm Athling

A nice-looking, level-headed young man who is devoted to Kathleen but is rejected in favor of the Sheep.

## Key lines

> I had four more clubs to play; we only wanted the odd trick to win the rubber,” said Rupert. “But I hadn’t another club to lead you,” exclaimed the Sheep, with his ready, defensive smile.

Rupert points out that they could have won the bridge game if the Sheep had thrown away his queen, but the Sheep apologizes without understanding his mistake.

_Illustrates the Sheep's incompetence and Rupert's frustration._

> To be exact, you’ve shot a honey-buzzard. That is the hen bird of one of the few pairs of honey-buzzards breeding in the United Kingdom.

Rupert informs the Sheep that he has killed a rare protected bird, ruining years of conservation effort.

_Highlights the Sheep's thoughtlessness and the value of the bird._

> I’m afraid I lost touch with the audience rather over that remark,” said the Sheep afterwards, with his apologetic smile abnormally developed. “You lost us the election,” said the chairman.

The Sheep's blunder during a political speech costs his party the election, and he offers a feeble apology.

_Shows the Sheep's destructive impact on Rupert's political efforts._

> The Sheep was struggling helplessly in an ice-hole of his own making. Rupert gave one loud curse, and then dashed full tilt for the shore... When he had at last succeeded in both efforts he was just by a hair’s-breadth too late to be of any use. The Sheep had definitely disappeared under the ice-rift.

The Sheep falls through thin ice despite warnings; Rupert tries to rescue him with a ladder but is delayed by a dog, and the Sheep drowns.

_Climactic event showing the Sheep's fatal foolishness and Rupert's failed rescue._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-sheep
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters