Selflessness in One Wish by Ronald L. Smith Essay Example

Selflessness. Something that is involved in everyday life. Not by force, but by choice, not through hate, but through kindness.  One Wish by Ronald L. Smith, is a very interesting, well written story. It demonstrates many factors of selflessness, in a valuable lesson, disguised the depths of the writing. It is a short story about when one character named Cuz, challenges another character Sacky with a difficult decision. A decision that could change one of the characters' lives. The overall message in One Wish, which is depicted through various moments of imagery, charatization, and symbolism is that you can choose a path that could benefit you or others. And even though you may not get rich fortunes , you help another soul instead which is so much more valuable than money.

At the start of the story characterization  is immediately present and begins with the character Cuz who is described as “Voice was as deep as rolling thunder. Wiry black and gray hair stuck out from under his chin. He smelled like a wet dog.” knocking on Sacky’s door. This allows you to get an idea of what Cuz may act or look like. Cuz is presented as hungry and asks Sacky for food. Sacky reluctantly lets Cuz into his house, hoping he hasn’t gotten himself into trouble by doing so. Cuz is extremely grateful to be let in though, as he immediately makes himself at home, by laying down on Sackys couch. 

When Sacky becomes too hesitant to the idea of giving Cuz food, Cuz offers to make a deal. A deal in which if Sacky gave him food, he would offer Sacky one free wish. At first Sacky thinks Cuz is crazy and is not telling the truth about the wish. Asking Cuz “ "How do you know how to make a wish come true?" Sacky asked, "You know magic?" "Old Cuzknows all kinds of stuff. People just never ask." Eventually Sacky gives in, but is now faced with another factor of a challenge, a difficult decision on what the wish should be. As he begins to ponder about what to wish for, Cuz introduces a story. A story about a man who was originally a wolf, until he was cursed into human form for eternity. The man in the story seems a lot happier in wolf form, then as a human. Sacky is puzzled on why Cuz would tell such an odd story, until eventually he realizes the man in the story isn't a fictional character but is Cuz himself. This creates a high stress, tension filled atmosphere as Sacky tries to quickly decide what to do. Imagery is very present in this scene, for instance you can really visualize the stress look on Sackys face as he’s deciding what to do. Sacky mentaly presents himself with his options. “He could have all the money in the world. He and Auntie Florence could move into a mansion, and have people cook and clean for them. He could have his own room and toys, and get a rifle for hunting. Heck, maybe he could even buy one of those fancy motorcars. People said there was one called a Ford Model T and could travel forty-five miles an hour. That'd be a lot faster than a mile and a wagon. Cuz stood real still, looking up at the moon, and every now and then peering into the woods that bordered Sacky's house. Was that longing Sacky saw in Cuz's eyes? If he was really a wolf, it'd be right cruel to take that away” 

Eventually Sacky comes to a final decision and decides on returning Cuz to his wolf form. Fearing it would be too cruel to punish Cuz into being human forever, if he actually was a wolf. Symbolism is used in this part of the story and is embedded in the actions of Sacky. For instance Sacky chose to have his wish benefit Cuz, not himself even though he was fully aware of what rich fortunes he may inherit from this wish, he chose to help Cuz. This symbolizes selflessness, an act of putting others before yourself. 

Examples of selflessness, the act of putting others before yourself is shown through many ways in One Wish By Ronald L. Smith. Such as in imagery, symbolism, and characterization. From the story Cuz tells Sacky, too the nerve racking decision of what to wish for selflessness is always in the back of Sackys mind. The author ropes in many ideas of benevolence, using this story as a vehicle to spread a valuable message. A message of thinking how other people may be affected by your actions and even the smallest acts of kindness can mean the world to someone.