The Life and Adventures of Lázaro de Tormes
1. The Blind Beggar
Lázaro, born on the banks of the Tormes River, endures a difficult childhood. After his thieving father’s death, his mother marries a black man. Facing prejudice, Lázaro’s mother sends him to serve a blind beggar. The beggar, though cruel, teaches Lázaro street smarts and survival tactics. Lázaro, driven by hunger, resorts to trickery to steal food from the blind man. He unpicks the beggar’s bread bag, hides pieces of white bread, sips wine through a straw, and creates a hole in the wine jug. Each deception is met with punishment, but Lázaro persists. He even matches the blind man’s increasing greed, taking more and more food until discovered. Finally, the blind man abandons Lázaro after he tricks him with a sausage, forcing him to vomit into Lázaro’s mouth.
2. The Priest of Maqueda
Lázaro then serves a miserly priest who barely feeds him. Desperate, Lázaro pretends to lose the key to the bread chest, only to have the priest discover his deception. Blaming the mice for the missing bread, the priest becomes suspicious. One night, the key, hidden in Lázaro’s mouth, produces a whistling sound, which the priest mistakes for a snake. He beats Lázaro and, upon discovering the key, throws him out, still weak and ill. Lázaro reflects that the blind man, though harsh, at least fed him, unlike the priest.
3. The Squire
Lázaro’s next master is a squire who appears wealthy but is actually impoverished. Lázaro ends up begging for food to feed them both. He pities the squire’s pride and stays until creditors arrive, forcing the squire to flee. Abandoned once more, Lázaro reflects on the squire’s deceptive appearance and unexpected abandonment.
4. The Friar
Lázaro briefly serves a friar who keeps him constantly busy. Exhausted, Lázaro leaves after just a week.
5. The Pardoner
Lázaro then works for a pardoner who sells indulgences through trickery and fake miracles. Lázaro witnesses the pardoner’s deceitful practices and the manipulation of innocent people, using religious excuses for their wrongdoings. After four months, Lázaro leaves, disgusted by the pardoner’s hypocrisy.
6. The Chaplain and Beyond
Lázaro finds work with a chaplain who sets him up as a water seller. He prospers, buying new clothes and a sword. Eventually, he settles down with the help of the Archpriest of San Salvador, marrying one of the Archpriest’s maids. Despite rumors and gossip, Lázaro thrives, securing a position as town crier. He reflects on his past hardships and the lessons learned, ultimately achieving a comfortable life. Lázaro concludes his story, hinting at further adventures to come.