TaylorK1213

character conflict plot setting climax rising action problem spooky mood place time theme woods railroad tracks rain storm homeless man woman hero fall time travel adventure scary horror knife young life kids songs neighborhood holes work crew runaway scared lost dangerous help worried alone airplane airport hours hotel camp bunks family space limited food talking language softball sports orphan
 * Nicaragua**

(Character) wants (goal) because (motivation), but (conflict).

(A man named Santiago) wants (to do everything, and he is able to) because (he has a magic hat), but (his hat gets stolen).


 * __The Hat__**

In the city of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, a man named Santiago works at a camp called "Vida Joven". Santiago is a very old looking man, about 80 years old, when really he is only about 50. Santiago is a mountain man, he is always working outside at this camp. He always has his pet monkey Garvyn with him, on his sholder. Santiago has rough hands, a leathery face with weathered skin, golden teeth, and always is wearing a dirty, old, white cowboy hat. Santiago does not live at the camp site, but he is there from sun-up to sun-down. No matter what people ask him to do, he is always able to do it. Without any questions. If there is work to be done, Santiago is there. Everyone else at the camp is jealous because Santiago can do everything. In half the time as everyone else, with no gloves on, and without complaining. Another thing about Santiago is that he sometimes appears when you least expect him to. People will turn their backs to start working on something, turn back around, and Santiago is there willing to help. Santiago's pet monkey, Garvyn, is basically his best friend. He is on his back at all times(literally). Santiago does not talk to many people, because would rather just talk to Garvyn. The temperature would be the hottest of the year, and Santiago would never take his hat off. This hat meant something to him. It was worn, had dirt and sweat stains on it, and the beads that lined the brim of the hat had started to lose color and fall off. Santiago has only been seen with the hat off when he is wiping sweat from his brow, when he is still holding on to it with his hands. One hot day, the job for the day was harder than others had been. Santiago was told to pull the old fence out of the ground for the rest of the workers to build a new one. Santiago was able to get most of it out, when the last few posts were stuck into the ground. Santiago pulled and pulled. He was using all of his strength to get these posts out of the ground. Santiago just could not do it. He finally decided to take a quick water break. Unlike most days, Santiago took his hat off, and set it on the near by bench. He walked with Garvyn to the water fountain, with his head down low. Santiago asked Garvyn why it was that he was not able to do this task today. Garvyn looked at him, and Santiago interpreted that as Garvyn telling him he can do it, and to not give up. He said to Garvyn that he would not give up, and he will start back at it, not stopping until he has accomplished the task. Santiago got back to the bench, and his hat was GONE. He started to panic. He rushed around the camp site, asking people if they had seen it. Santiago's eyes began to water. He could not believe that his hat was gone. Finally Santiago began to realize that he is known as the tough one at camp, no one could see him cry or they would think he is a wimp. He decided to get back to work, and walked toward the last few posts in the ground. As Santiago started to pull the posts out, he just could not do it. He did not feel strong, he could not move the posts at all. There was no use in even trying anymore, he thought. He finally gave up, and walked away. People around the camp site began talking about it. The word got around fast: Santiago's hat is magic. The people from camp made known to everyone that Santiago was not the man that everyone had thought him to be, his strength was actually from his hat. Santiago was no longer able to do the work that he had been able to do before. The people watched as he came to the camp site each day still. He came, tried to work, could not accomplish any task that he started, got upset, and walked away. This became a daily routine for Santiago. He became so upset, and felt so useless. The man who runs the camp site,named Paul, came up to Santiago one day and asked him what is wrong. Santiago replied with: "I tried to fool myself, and my friends. I worked well with the hat, and now that it is gone, I am letting everyone down." "Santiago, we have become family now. You have worked here for so many years and we have all seen the talent that you can do. Are you going to give up on me?" asked Paul. "Of course not." "Then go dig a hole, 10 feet deep, for us to put a pole in." "But....." Santiago began "I will try" he finished with. "Good, we will help you if you need it. Try on your own first though." Santiago felt renewed, and felt wanted. He had known Paul for so long, he could not let him down now. He started digging the hole. Little at a time, he got deeper, and deeper. It took him days to finish, but Santiago finally had finished his task. "Santiago, the hat was not magical in the end. It gave you a sense of magic, and a push of motivation. Look what you have done now though, you have finished digging a 10 foot deep hole." Paul explained to Santiago. "I have realized that I can do anything I set my mind to" said Santiago. Santiago never found his hat, but became confident in himself and his work. He knew now that he did not have to finish first in order for it to be the best. Santiago took his time with the tasks that the camp site provided for him, and continued working there. When he set his mind to the task, he was always able to finish it.