Hour With Abuelo

In the short story, "An Hour With Abuelo", the tale tells us of boy reluctantly visiting his grandfather, Abuelo. The story's theme is that things that you expect may not turn out the way you think. She conveys the theme at the end of the story when the main character learns the theme of the story. The most important component of the story is Abuelo. Arturo is forced by his mother to visit Abuelo in Golden Years nursing home and figures his time will be slow, dull, and stodgy. Arturo complains that he needs time to study to get into AP English due to his declining grades. In addition to that, he hates the place as expressed in the statement, "Besides, I hate the place, the old people's home, especially the way it smells like industrial-strength ammonia and other stuff I won't mention, since it turns my stomach." However, Arturo eventually gives into his mother's request and goes into the building. He then sees Abuelo writing in a notebook and waits until time passes.

Written in the notebook is the story of his life and decides to read to Arturo to help pass the time. He speaks of his dream, as a kid, to become a writer and a teacher. His persistence leads to leaving his father's farm to attend high school. After he graduated, a high school diploma was enough to teach in school for all grade levels. Abuelo was unfortunately was drafted in the military for war. Hearing this, Abuelo objected and describe how important it was for him to teach. The government declined and he had to clean the latrines when he arrived. After he finished his service, the system changed and a degree was required to apply for a job as a teacher. This set Abuelo's dream awry and became a farmer instead. He raised a family and taught his children and grandchildren how to read and write, which brings him