In the short story “The Stone” by Lloyd Alexander, Maibon, a middle age farmer, learns to accept life the way it is. In the beginning, Maibon is selfish and wants what is better for only him. However, Maibon learns to appreciate life and live every day to the fullest.thus, he learns to accept what he has and think of others, not just himself.
At first, Maibon only thinks of himself. Maibon sees people aging and does not like it. Then he helps a Fair Folk who then owes him a wish. Maibon asks for a stone to keep him young forever, however, the fair folk warns him but Maibon does not listen. pg(508) “Maibon you are a greater fool than I ever supposed! And selfish into the bargain you’ve turned down great treasures! You didn’t even ask that dwarf for so much as new jackets for the children! Nor a new apron for me! You could have had the roof mended. Or the walls plastered. No, a stone is what you ask for! A bit of
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As time passes Maibon becomes bored because nothing changes. Then his wife wants him to get rid of the stone however it keeps coming back because he still wants it. Then Maibon finds the Fair Folk and accuses the fair folk of tricking him. But, the Fair Folk says that he was trying to warn him but Maibon did not listen. pg(511-512) “No no!” Maibon cries. “I want no mare of it. Whatever may happen let it happen. That’s better than nothing happening at all. I’ve had my share of being young, I’ll take my share of being old. And when I come to the end of my days, at least I can say I’ve lived each one of them.” After talking to the Fair Folk Maibon realizes change is better than nothing happening at all. Maibon also wants everything to be back to normal and grow old with his family. Also, Maibon realizes that he has been young long enough and will be proud of his gray hair and beard and wants to live life the way it is. As a result, Maibon comes to understand that growing old is