What Makes a Good Deed? – Story Review of The Good Samaritan

The short story, “The Good Samaritan”, written by Rene Saldana, revolves around Rey, a young man facing a moral conflict. Mr. Sanchez is always gypping Rey and his friends into doing unpaid jobs by promising them false rewards like using their swimming pool or playing the basketball court whenever they want. But in the end, Rey and his friends never receive any compensation for whatever they did. Tired of those broken promises, Rey decides to steer clear of Mr. Sanchez. One day while Rey is on his way to pick up younger brother, Rey spots Mr. Sanchez stranded with a flat tire. At first, Rey plans to leave him there on the street as revenge. But Rey reconsiders, by thinking about his own father, and then he stops to help. Grateful for the assistance, Mr. Sanchez invites Rey to a barbecue and offers access to the swimming pool, but Rey politely declines, saying he plans to play with his friends instead. What makes Ray change his mind from unwilling to willing to help? What Makes a Good Deed. To answer the questions, one could have deep discussion from three angles: Empathy and Mercy, Loving Neighbors, and Breaking Down Barriers.

Empathy and Mercy both focus on understanding others’ feelings and showing their compassion for their suffering, and they are closely intertwined. Empathy provides the emotional insights to recognize someone who is in need of understanding, which then fosters and brings out the merciful actions. Mr. Sanchez encountered a flat tire problem on the street and needed assistance. Ray sees that Mr. Sanchez had tire trouble with no assistance from anyone around while on his way to pick up his younger brother. At first, Ray was reluctant to offer help. Ray felt that Mr. Sanchez did not deserve it due to his past actions. But after thinking of his own father,  Ray eventually decided to assist Mr. Sanchez. Ray was furious with Mr. Sanchez because Mr. Sanchez exploited Ray and his friends as unpaid workers, often deceiving them with false promises of rewards for their hard work. Those promised compensation, like swimming in the pool or playing in the newly built basketball court, were never fulfilled. Rey stated, “Today was it for me, though. I made up my mind never to go back to the Sanchezes’.” (Saldana 3) Despite this, Mr. Sanchez isn't truly a bad man; he’s  just trying to provide for his family and might be facing his own struggles. He focuses on making money. Ray empathized with Mr. Sanchez by imagining himself in his situation. Seeing Mr. Sanchez with a flat tire, Ray thought of his own father, “What if this were my dad stranded on the side of the road? I’ d want someone to stop for him.”  (Saldana 5). Consequently, Rey got out of his car and offered Mr. Sanchez assistance with the tire issue. This is called Empathy. By helping without expecting repayment, Ray demonstrated mercy. Just because people are in different groups, even the opposite party, it does not mean they don’t deserve help.  People have to show their empathy and compassion as well as act mercifully on those who are in need of help, regardless of their background or personal biases and prejudices.

Being friendly with neighbors could build a sense of community, create a supportive environment, and provide help with emergencies. A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor as neighbors are physically closer and can quickly offer help in emergencies. Ray and his friends grew up in Mr. Sanchez’s neighborhood. When Mr. Sanchez requested help with some yard work and promised them pool access as a return, Ray and his friends came, even though Mr. Sanchez did not fulfill his promises. Although Mr. Sanchez did not ask Ray’s help with a flat tire, Ray voluntarily offered assistance because of his friendship with Orlieand his role as a neighbor to Mr. Sanchenza. It is one’s luck to have good neighbors who respect you, understand you, do a lot of activities with you, and offer you help without asking for any payback. But sometimes you might encounter annoying and disrespectful neighbors who might make use of your ability and take your efforts as granted. Just like what Mr. Sanchez did to Ray “Help me dig these holes here, then we can put up some basketball rims. Once the cement dries on the court itself, you all can come over and play anytime since it’s kind of your court too. That is, if you help me dig the holes.” (Saldana 2). Ray and his friends did help digging these holes for building basketball but they are NOT allowed to play basketball, which is very discouraging for Ray. Mr. Sanchez, as a neighbor, kept breaking the promises. In contrast, Ray did the opposite way toward Mr. Sanchez. When Ray sees Mr. Sanchez in times of need for changing flat tires, he as a neighbor provides assistance, whereas Mr. Sanchez’s distant relatives or family might be unavailable due to location constraints. People should be nice to their neighbors, regardless of their personality or past actions, as it fosters a peaceful community environment and reduces conflicts and tensions. 

Breaking down barriers with someone involves forgiveness toward this person, as both are trying to let go of something that holds people back. By forgiveness, people free themselves from the barriers of resentment and anger, allowing people to move past previous hurts and repairing relationships. When Ray sees Mr. Sanchez’s flat tire problem and no one helps him, Ray could just ignore him and choose to leave. But Ray did not, even though he thinks that Mr. Sanchez doesn't deserve his assistance. Ray chooses to get out of the car and offers Mr. Sanchez assistance instead. Ray broke the barrier by choosing kindness over revenge. He forgives what Mr. Sanchez did before. Despite Mr. San chez’s history of broken promises and manipulation, Ray did not let these experiences harden him or dictate his actions. Instead, he made a conscious decision to help Mr. Sanchez who is in need, even though it was the very person who had wronged him previously. There is an old saying that people who take the first step to break the barrier are the losers. Such a statement is incorrect. In reality, taking the first step of breaking the barriers honestly could be a sign of strength, courage, or leadership, that make others appreciate, especially in resolving conflicts faster. Deep down, Mr. Sanchez must regret what he had done before after receiving the help of changing the flat tire from Rey, “Yes, thank God you came by. Boy, it’s hot out here. You’re a good boy, Rey. You’ll make a good man.”(Saldana 6). Mr. Sanchez then showed his appreciation by saying “Rey, what if you come over tomorrow night to my house? I’m having a little barbecue for some important people here in town. You should come over. We’re even going to do some swimming. What do you say?”(Saldana 7) People can break the barriers when they extend a helping hand, or show forgiveness. Then, they cloud reconnect over time, and eventually build a positive relationship. 

The story “The Good Samaritan” written by Rene Saldana, revolves around Rey, a young man who initially hesitates to help Mr. Sanchez with a flat tire, later feeling conflicted about his decision. This short story sparks three themes talking about what the good deed is including empathy and mercy, loving your neighbors, and breaking down barriers. To show mercy, one must empathize with others by considering how they themselves would feel. Compassion and mercy would motivate us to help those in need, regardless of their background or our own prejudices. Different group identities do not make someone undeserving of help. By offering assistance during an emergency situation, people can take the first step to break down barriers. Extending a helping hand facilitates connection and, over time, can lead to becoming good friends. Through these actions, people can form meaningful bonds.