Balthazar is one of the greatest craft men in his town. Balthazar was asked to build a cage, big enough for two troupials. Balthazar made the cage for a boy named Pepe. Pepe father would not buy the cage, so Balthazar lied to his friends and told them that he sold it when he real did not. In Gabriel Garcia Marques short story, "Balthazar's Marvelous Afternoon", it indicates Balthazar great deed, and the lie that he sacrificed for his reputation. .
People lie all the time to for their reputation. This story just shows us one more time how lying can seem more important then telling the truth. In "Balthazar's Marvelous Afternoon" he did not only lie but he lost a lot of money to cover up the lie. Balthazar Marvelous Afternoon takes place in a small Spanish town that not every one makes a hole lot of money, you have the rich and you have the working class who works to take care of there family. Balthazar talent was building cages and he was known for his skills through out the town.
Balthazar built a cage for a young boy named Pepe. Pepes dad would not buy the cage so Balthazar gave the cage to Pepe after he seen the boy crying on the floor. After Balthazar left the house people asked Balthazar how much he had sold the cage for. Balthazar said 60 peso and the all cheered. This is a main part in the story because he just spent 2 weeks building this cage he put a lot of time and energy into it. Balthazar just gave Pepe the cage when he could have sold it. If Balthazar had told his friends that he gave Pepe the cage they would have said Mr. Chepe Montiel got the best of Balthazar. .
Balthazar chose to lie about getting 60 peso, so he told his friends that he sold it for 60 peso then they all thought he had a lot of money. Balthazar and his friends went to the bar to celebrate the money he made from the cage. Balthazar started to buy rounds of beer for all of his friends. Balthazar loved the way it felt for his friends to look up to him.