What is the purpose of the short story "The Open Window" by Saki?

When determining author's purpose, think about the acronym P.I.E., which stands for "persuade, inform, entertain." A story's purpose can usually be understood from these three points. The purpose behind Saki's short story "The Open Window" is to entertain. Vera, a young and mischievous girl, sets up an unassuming and sickly man, named Nuttel, for a practical joke. She tells him a story of a family tragedy only to pull off an ironic twist that frightens the man out of his wits. Not only is Vera a great storyteller, but she is also a great actress. She doesn't just tell the "facts" about the family tragedy that supposedly cost the lives of her aunt's husband and brothers, but she dramatically displays sorrow, and then believable horror, when the men return from hunting. When Nuttel runs from the home without a word to the hostess, the joke is successfully executed, and the intended entertainment is accomplished.