In "And of Clay are We Created" by Isabel Allende, a small girl is caught in the rubble, mud, and putrescence of a volcanic eruption. Attempts to save the child, Azucena, proved futile, but one angel of mercy appeared to see her off into the next world. As the reader will see, Azucena, in her last days, proved that even a young child can be a hero, to other children and to adults as well. She showed all signs of heroism, courage, trust , innocence and acceptance of her fate. .
When the reader first meets Azucena at the beginning of the story, she immediately shows courage "calling soundlessly" for help, "obstinately clinging to life." This girl stood out from the other victims because of her level of tragedy. She was known to everyone, because she was one of the few to still be alive, but yet she was trapped. "The television camera's transmitted so often that there was no one who did not recognize her and know her name." Azucena shows her courage by staying calm even though she is trapped. When the worker's tried to pull her out, she screamed, saying "it was not just the rubble, that she was also held by the bodies of her brothers and sisters clinging to her legs." Although we don't know the ages of her other siblings, Azucena is clearly the leader, courageous and full of shining hope.
Azucena also trusts Rolfe right away, depending on him to see her through. The next day, "Azucena was shivering inside the tire that held her above the surface greatly weakened but she was still conscious and could be heard." Rolfe had tried to save her by putting the tire around her to keep her arms and shoulders above the muck. When the pump that they thought might bring her out wouldn't be there until the next day, Rolfe tries to comfort her, but she promptly begged, "Don't leave me alone," thus showing her trust in him as her savior from the muck. "Azucena had surrendered her fear to him," also illustrating her total trust in him.
