The short story “A man who had no eyes” by McKinlay Kantor features a blind protagonist who seeks sympathy and money from people. One day, he encounters a man who gives him some money. However, the blind man senses that the man in the suit has more money and fabricates a story about being overpowered by someone else. Surprisingly, the man in the suit contradicts him, claiming that he was the one who overpowered the blind man. This realization dawns on the blind man, and he acknowledges his wrongdoing. Ultimately, the story teaches us that injuries should not hinder progress.
The barber is the main character in Hernando Tellez’s short story “Lather or Nothing else”. He grapples with a dilemma of whether to adhere to his upbringing or conform to societal expectations. The General, who suspects the barber is a rebel, intentionally incites him to murder. However, upon finishing the shave, the General rises from the chair and confesses, “My soldiers warned me that you would take my life… it’s not easy killing others.” This tale underscores how speaking courageously does not necessarily equate to taking bold action.
Throughout my life, I have discovered the value of these stories in facing various challenges. One particular incident that occurred while playing hockey remains vivid in my memory. In the midst of the game, I delivered a forceful hit to an opposing player, resulting in his injury. What made this situation more significant was that the player belonged to a rival team.
Towards the end of that period, my teammates urged me to target the captain of the opposing team. However, I recalled my mother’s guidance to “never harm someone without reason.” This caused me to pause and reconsider my actions, as I knew there would be severe consequences – a two-game suspension and potential harm to myself.
Therefore, both within these short stories and in my personal experiences, we confront internal conflicts as we evaluate the potential repercussions of our choices.
