Midsummer — by Manuel Arguilla

 

https://www.metroscenemag.com/2022/07/local-animator-mark-canega.html


The short story entitled "Midsummer" written by Manuel Arguilla is published in 1933 in the Philippine Magazine. The story takes place in a very hot and empty place, with a man traveling with a tired bull in a cart. The landscape is harsh and beautiful, but there are no other people around. Suddenly, a young woman appears, looking fresh and lively against the dry background, catching the man's attention. They accidentally bump into each other near a well, and the man's food gets broken. But this accident helps them become friends easily, even though the man was unsure at first. They share a meal and water, and a quiet liking and interest grow between them. The woman kindly invites the man to stay at her simple home, showing a new connection between them as they start this unexpected journey together. This journey is like a symbol of the man feeling stronger and having a clear purpose.

 

The story uses words that paint a clear picture, like describing the road as if it's wiggling in the heat and showing how the woman stands out in the dry place. The actions in the story mean more than just what happens on the surface; when the man handles the tired bull, it shows he's tough, and the woman getting water means they're sharing and surviving together. Clues dropped in the story make us curious about how the characters might be connected, creating a bit of mystery. What's interesting is that, despite the tough surroundings, the characters are kind to each other. As the story goes on, we learn about the characters' personalities and what they value through what they do and speak. Also, the story compares things, like saying the road is like a snake, and gives life-like qualities to objects, making the story even more interesting and emotional.


    Even though this story is simple, it teaches us important lessons about being kind, strong, and working together. The characters show compassion and generosity even when things are tough, and these values are just like what SDA schools teach about caring for others. The small but meaningful moments between the characters give us a chance to talk about making good choices, connecting with others, and why it's important to understand how someone else feels. The story uses clear pictures and hidden meanings to talk about being thankful, having enough to live on, and why sharing is important. Also, it gives us a chance to think about being humble and not showing off, making us look at how society sometimes treats people unfairly and why it's important to help each other. In the end, this story is a quiet but powerful way to get students talking about kindness, strength, and doing the right thing, making it a good addition to what SDA schools teach. 


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