This paper discusses Alberto Rios’ short story, The Secret Lion, in which the author describes experiences he had as a child growing up.
This paper relates that, throughout the text, Rios uses the word perfect to describe places or items in the text. The author points out that the three places or items cited are an arroyo, a grinding ball, and a golf course near the homes. The paper concludes that the perfect references signify how innocence is tainted or lost and how this loss reminds us to treasure those perfect moments.
Chronologically, the golf course is the next place that Rios uses the word perfect to describe. After they’re discovery about the arroyo, the children chose to venture to the mountains (225). After unearthing this paradise, the narrator’s first thought about the matter is perfect (226). To the children these mountains are a vast green area with many trees, birds, and other beautiful things. The narrator compares their arrival to the Wizard of Oz when they got to Oz and everything was so green, so emerald (226). This moment is basically child’s perception of life at first glance, perfection. Only a child could be so excited about their surroundings in such a way. The narrator even goes as far as saying, this was heaven (226).