Be very careful what you wish for because things are never what they seem, especially in the realistic fiction short story "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst. In the story, the narrator longs for a brother; but he doesn't expect to get one like Doodle; and from the beginning he plans to help and hurt him. Brother tries to help Doodle by teaching him to do things that normal children can do, but hurts him because his pride, embarrassment, and Doodle's inability get in the way. In this dramatic and realistic fiction "Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, I realize that Brother is trying to help Doodle only to save himself from humiliation. However, as the story progresses, I notice that the narrator is nothing but mean to his brother by doing things such as: trying to hurt him in a go-kart and making fun of and changing his name. This also makes me realize that the red, dead peacock is a mysterious parallel and foreshadows the events to come in the short reading. In this tortuous story of an unrealistic reality, we notice that the narrator does not want to be with, near or around his brother. but his mother forces him to be. Although Doodle is finally able to crawl, he still can't walk, so "Daddy [builds] him a go-kart and I [have to] pull it." (Hurst 110) Brother declares. When I hear the word “go-cart,” I think of fun and excitement; but Brother sees it as punishment and hates the idea. I see a brother pulling around Doodle as a way for the two to bond as siblings; however the narrator wants nothing to do with Doodle except harm him. No matter where Brother goes, "Mother [calls] from wherever she [is], 'Take Doodle with you.' ''This gives Brother, in his mind, another reason to wreak even more havoc on Doodle. Continually, brother took... middle of paper... his forehead and raised his head... He was bleeding from the mouth. (Hurst 117). Who is to blame for this? Is it Doodle, brother, the parents? In this unpredictable short story, I notice a lot of things about the characters and about myself. Life is something to be cherished and not taken for granted, and when faced with Doodle's terrible state, that's exactly what those around him did: took him for granted. When and how will the parents find out about the death? How will they feel? Who will they blame? Should they blame themselves for the death of their child? Will they blame brother? Couldn't this have happened if Brother hadn't pushed so hard? Did Doodle have a choice or a life of his own? Did he enjoy the time he had? Could it have been longer? These are all questions that come to mind when reading this incredible short story, realistic fiction "Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst..