Saki

The Open Window

Das offene Fenster

Nervous Framton Nuttel pays a call on Mrs. Sappleton in the country, as part of his rest cure. While he waits for her, her composed fifteen-year-old niece Vera tells him why the large French window onto the lawn stands open on an October afternoon, and what tragedy lies behind it.

B210 minAudio

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How it begins

EnglishGerman

“My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel,” said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen; “in the meantime you must try and put up with me.”

„Meine Tante kommt gleich herunter, Mr. Nuttel“, sagte eine sehr selbstbewusste junge Dame von fünfzehn Jahren; „in der Zwischenzeit müssen Sie versuchen, mit mir vorlieb zu nehmen.“

Framton Nuttel endeavoured to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come.

Framton Nuttel bemühte sich, etwas Passendes zu sagen, das der Nichte des Augenblicks gebührend schmeichelte, ohne die Tante, die noch kommen sollte, unangemessen abzuwerten.

Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing.

Insgeheim bezweifelte er mehr denn je, ob diese formellen Besuche bei einer Reihe völlig Fremder viel dazu beitragen würden, die Nervenkur zu unterstützen, der er sich angeblich unterziehen sollte.

The opening paragraphs, as the reader shows them. Read on

Languages

The Open Window · English (original)B2 Intermediate · 1,211 words · ~10 min · Audio
Das offene Fenster · GermanB2 Intermediate · 1,169 words · ~10 min · Audio
Το ανοιχτό παράθυρο · GreekB2 Intermediate · 1,156 words · ~10 min
La ventana abierta · SpanishB2 Intermediate · 1,184 words · ~10 min · Audio
La Fenêtre ouverte · FrenchB2 Intermediate · 1,324 words · ~10 min · Audio
खुली खिड़की · HindiB2 Intermediate · 1,412 words · ~10 min
Jendela yang Terbuka · IndonesianB2 Intermediate · 1,132 words · ~10 min
La finestra aperta · ItalianB2 Intermediate · 1,145 words · ~10 min
開いた窓 · JapaneseB2 Intermediate
열린 창문 · KoreanB2 Intermediate · 904 words · ~5 min
Het open raam · DutchB2 Intermediate · 1,252 words · ~10 min
Otwarte okno · PolishB2 Intermediate · 1,027 words · ~5 min
A Janela Aberta · PortugueseB2 Intermediate · 1,210 words · ~10 min
Fereastra deschisă · RomanianB2 Intermediate · 1,196 words · ~10 min
Açık Pencere · TurkishB2 Intermediate · 944 words · ~5 min
Cánh Cửa Sổ Mở · VietnameseB2 Intermediate · 1,665 words · ~10 min
开着的窗户 · ChineseB2 Intermediate

Questions

Which languages can I read The Open Window in?

English, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.

What level is it?

The original English is B2 Intermediate. In translation, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese are B2 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from Pre-A1 (starter) to C2.

How long is it?

About 1,211 words: around 5–10 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.

Is it free?

Yes. Read it online with no account. The downloads (PDF, EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account.

Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?

Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.

The Open Window

How it begins

Languages

Questions

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