The Accident Short Story Summary

In the story "The Accident," by Murong Xuecun, there is a character whose name is Old Wei. He is a character full of surprises throughout the story. In "The Cost of Living," by Carlos Fuentes, we have a similar character, named Salvador Renteria. Everyone face challenges in life, it is a matter of how you overcome them and use them to your advantage. You can either ignore negative thoughts and refuse to give them any attention , or you go with them. These two characters face a big challenge in life, that their decisions are what defines them. Old Wei gets in a car accident, while Salvador Renteria has a sick wife that he needs to look after. At the beginning of the story both characters show humility, and compassion. However, as you read along …show more content…
He states, "We exchanged glances and then I looked away as if nothing had happened. The transport cops have dealt with this, I thought. Why should I go looking for trouble by doing anything for this guy? I stepped on the gas and continued on." Salvador in this situation would have done the same thing. Since, Salvador had showed humility and compassion towards the farmer at the beginning of the accident he was not going to stop again for the old farmer. Salvador would think he had done enough already by letting him keep his little earning along with his motorcycle. Salvador would have drove right past him, headed to his next …show more content…
At the printing shop, Salvador headed to the car with posters, leaving Cristobal paying the bill. A man put his hand on his shoulder as he was heading out, and request to hand over the posters. "Let me by," Salvador replied. "Those flyer are going with me, buddy," the man remarked. The narrator says, "He threw one package, and with his free arm smashed at the man 's face. He felt squashed cigarette and its burning point on his fist. Salvador whirled with his fists closed and he saw the knife and then felt it in his stomach. The man slowly withdrew the knife and snapped his fingers, and Salvador fell with his mouth open." At the printing shop, Old Wei would have done the same as Salvador, for the exception that he would have pull out a bigger fight. Old Wei is a character that likes to feel superior, just like he felt compared to the old farmer. He would have not let the man get away with taking the posters and stabbing him, leaving him to