9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V.

Diaz

HOME GENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US

STORY REVIEW OF “THE CENTIPEDE,” A SHORT

STORY BY RONY V. DIAZ
iSpring Suite
OPEN
Easily Create Online Courses
Let me tell you first a story. There is a large age gap between me and my siblings.
With a huge age gap come along misunderstandings which I think is inevitable
among siblings.

A relationship between siblings is what  “The Centipede” was all about.  It was written
on 1953 by an award-winning Filipino short story writer named Rony V. Diaz.

iSpring Suite
OPEN
Ready to Build Courses Faster?

Translate » 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 1/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz

Rony V. Diaz HOME GENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US

                                                     Video Credits: Shun Mae Rica Gadong via Youtube 

 

It all started with Eddie seeing his sister Delia beating his dog Biryuk. He wanted to
stop his sister but he could not do for the latter has a weak heart. It is truly heart
twitching to just watch something happen to a pet that is very dear to you. Eddie does
want to free the dog from the cruel hands of his sister, but he was powerless to do so.

A series of flashbacks followed in the story. Eddie and Delia had been very different
from one another. It was obvious that they see each other as rivals.

Delia was 8 years old when Eddie was born and their mother died. It could be one
reason why she has not feel the love for her brother.

In fact, she might be pointing her finger always to her brother being the cause of their
mother’s death. In addition to that, what they only have was their father and she
might be resentful to Eddie in thinking that her brother gets more attention. Jealousy.
This must be the cause why Delia always get rid of those things that make her
brother happy. Do you feel that Delia wants her brother to be miserable?

It tells the story that Eddie has a natural love for animals and insects. On the other
hand, Delia loathes them. They were always trapped in trouble because they both
have a different interest. Even though Eddie was the younger one, he always tried to
open his mind and think of his sister’s health rather than his own happiness.

Delia, being the oldest has this dominating nature. She acted like a  boss to Eddie
and whatever she wanted must happen.  On the other hand, Eddie needed to let her
do all her wants and whims for he was afraid something bad will happen to his sister
once he contradicted her. He kept his patience after his sister destroyed everything
he loves: his monkey, his pigeons and his butterflies. He tried hard to control himself
even though the acts of his sister were already below the belt.

But then, everything has its own limits. When Eddie found out that Delia stabbed the
eye of the dog, he felt so much hate that he could not keep his temper anymore. He
Translate » 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 2/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz

was fed up. He was enraged. His hatred was like a venom on his own soul. He got
HOME GENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US
the opportunity to revenge when Berto, a helper in their house, gave him a centipede.
Eddie was trapped in his own wish to frighten his sister. After he wrapped the
centipede in a handkerchief, he moved inside their house silently while his sister was
embroidering a white cloth. Without a second thought, he threw the centipede on his
sister’s lap.

Tiwala sa Tibay ng HardieFlex®

Magtiwala sa fire, moisture, impact, at termite damage resistance ng

HardieFlex® boards.

James Hardie Philippines Shop Now

Eddie came back to his senses when he saw the result of his action. His sister fell
down and cried with pain. He regretted it and felt guilty but the damage had been
done already.

The Centipede

                                                 Video Credits: Dyan Laine Villoso via Youtube

I have been always looking forward to a happy ending but this short story ended in a
tragic way. The “Centipede” portrays a sad reality in life that if we make hasty
decisions, we might have ended up full of regrets. We cannot avoid making mistakes
and that what makes us humans. We make mistakes because there is something we
need to learn. Sadness exists. Mistakes happen. It is already a parcel of our life. It is
a human nature, but the good thing about making mistakes is that we get lessons
from it. Through those learnings, we become a better person.

How is your decision-making in life? Have you ever made one that you regretted?

Translate » 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 3/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz

HOME GENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US

“Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is
made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting,
teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute
that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the
balance in favor of fair use.”

We do NOT own the videos in this blog. All copyrights to their respective owners.

© 2016 – 2021, . All rights reserved.

Translate » 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 4/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz

HOME GENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US

Tiwala sa Tibay ng HardieFlex®

Magtiwala sa fire, moisture, impact, at termite damage

resistance ng HardieFlex® boards.

James Hardie Philippines Shop Now

 Post Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are that of the author and does not
in anyway represents the agency or department she currently belongs.

Author : Ana Rose Alvaro

Ana Rose was born and raised in the Philippines. A simple Filipina who was
born with a natural love for books and languages.

 Ana Rose Alvaro  September 6, 2016  Relationship Between Siblings, Rony V.

Diaz, Short Story, The Centipede  Reviews  26 Comments »

 Story Review:”The Mats,” a short story

Life Lessons in Reading Paulo
by Francisco Arcellana
Coelho’s “The Alchemist” 

26 Comments to Story Review of “The Centipede,” a short

story by Rony V. Diaz

J a f r a j u l s i r u e l o says:
at

What happened to the girl at the end of the story?

Reply

R e n z o says:
at

Delia died because she is weak-hearted and she was

frightened by the centipede Eddie thrown
Reply

Translate » 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 5/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz

HOME GENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US

Tiwala sa Tibay ng HardieFlex®

Magtiwala sa fire, moisture, impact, at termite damage resistance ng

HardieFlex® boards.

James Hardie Philippines Shop Now

Yo u r n a m e says:
at

Did they truly hit the dog in roleplay the dog is so pity.
Reply

A n a R o s e A l v a r o says:
at

In the story, his sister really did it. Yes, it is definitely an

animal cruelty.
Reply

C e c i l l e says:
at

This is really very helpful. Thank you.

Reply

s a b i h u l H a s a n says:
at

I am really impress with your blog so 3 words for your website, unique
information, good selection of topic and quality.
Reply

1 / 2 P r i c e P r o C a l g a r y P a i n t i n g says:
at

I been reviewin online more than 4 hours today for 1/2 Price Pro
Calgary Painting & Summary and Review

of “The Centipede,” a short story by Rony V.

Diaz, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.

It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and
bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be

a lot more useful than ever before.

Reply

Translate » 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 6/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz

HOME GENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US

Tiwala sa Tibay ng HardieFlex®

Magtiwala sa fire, moisture, impact, at termite damage

resistance ng HardieFlex® boards.

James Hardie Philippines Shop now

M a r i e l l e M o i s e s says:
at

Can you help me for my assignment?

The question is:

Give 5 question that you want to know on the selections.

Thanks ?
Reply

A n a R o s e A l v a r o says:
at

Hi Marielle! You are the only one who can answer that
since you know what is it that you would like to know
about the selection. Maybe you are working on your
KWL Chart?
Reply

M r . M o n t i says:
at

I am moved by the story how the author enhances its plot. i think the
story resembles much of how family are being developed with the
interaction of the members (role of parents) since their mother died
and i am pointing towards the father who has the capability to resolve
the issue bet. siblings.
Reply

T h e I n n e r C i r c l e says:
at

He is sort of a hero if you ask me…..anyone who beats a defenseless

animal today would kill a defenseless human being tomorrow. You
would have thought the sister with her condition would have valued
life and not to destroy or hurt it. She received what she gave others.
Reply

J a c q u e l i n e says:
at

It’s part of life to have some regrets. You can’t do everything right and
say the right things all the time. Part of growing up as a child is to
experience life to the fullest. It is all part of the journey and that’s what
we’re here for.
Reply

Te r e s a D u m a d a g says:
at

Rivalry or jealousy is common between siblings. But it would be

Translate »
wonderful if the children would outgrow these tendencies or feelings 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 7/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz
as they grow older. Instead of finding ways to outdo or outshine each
other, it would be nice to see siblings growing in their relationship
HOMEwithGENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US
each other. That’s what I pray would happen to my kids as they grow
older.
Reply

F e n r i l e says:
at

That’s how life is as a human. We make decisions that end up bad

decisions and we might regret. But I believe that no decisions should
be regretted as everything we live is an experience. And from those
experiences, as terrible as they can be sometimes, we learn, evolve
and get better. But we can’t get better without making bad decisions,
failing and learning
Reply

M o m m y Q u e e n e l i z a b e t h says:
at

Very nice i sights you got here. When it comes to decision making i
sucks! There have been a lot of things that needed wise decision but
because i am stubborn and sometimes stupid my decisions fail.but it
is in those failures that i learned a lot and it gives me reasons to push
again and make things right..
Reply

S a r a h B e r t h e says:
at

I have 3 younger brothers, two of which are relatively close to my age

while the last one is 11 years younger. I grew up fighting A LOT with
my two younger brothers which sometimes arrived to serious extent.
One time, we were arguing about something probably childish and
one thing lead to another, my second brother hit me with a broomstick
and instantly I lost consciousness. When I opened my eyes, my head
was bleeding and I had a cut in my right eye brow. It was terrifying!
My third brother on the other hand is like my BFF, he idolizes me and
have so much respect for me.
Reply

C a r o l a says:
at

Interesting story. Lots to think about. I hadn’t heard of this story

before. It’s terrible how she treated the dog. Hard to read that. Luckily
I haven;t made any big decisions that I really regret. Nothing that will
haunt me or makes me think about it again and again.
Reply

Ta m z says:
at

Oh I have made decisions that I regret. But as you said in the last
part. We all learn from our mistakes. I believe mistakes are one of the
greatest teachers for us.
Reply

y o g o a n d c r e a m says:
at

I first thought that this centipede film was the horror story one.
Apparently, it has a different title which was the human centipede.
Anyway, I love the life lesson and insights you imparted here. I never
regretted a decision because of deciding hastily. What I may have
Translate » regretted though was the fear of doing something I should have done 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 8/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz
a long time ago which was blogging. However, it still turn out for the
best though with God’s timing. Blogging is more fun when HOME doing itGENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US
with the person you love.
– Me-An Clemente of http://yogoandcream.com
Reply

L a v e e n a S e n g a r says:
at

It was a sad one to begin with. The video is really nice and left me
with a lot of curiosity. I would really like to know more I think it
teaches many of us some serious teaching
Reply

M o m m a M i t c h says:
at

I’m all sad as I read through the story because I am the eldest child of
my parents. I feel for Delia on the part that her younger brother
receives more attention and care than her. Children really tend to get
jealous when they feel that they’re not being given the same
treatment as their other siblings. It’s a challenge to the parents as
well.
Anyway, as the story ended, it also made me reflect about the
decisions I’ve made in life. Of course, there were a lot of decisions
I’ve regretted later on, but I tried focusing on the lessons it brought
me. Bad decisions taught me a lot of things. At least, the next time I’ll
be put into the same situation, I would already know what to do.
Reply

K T N i e l s e n says:
at

The first sentence of the story is heartbreaking! I can only imagine

when the lead character of your story is beating up the dog. Too
extreme for me. I don’t know what the moral of the story is because I
feel that it was abruptly cut. I’m puzzled as to why Delia cried when
Eddie threw the centipede. Thought-provoking indeed!
Reply

D o m i n i c B a r r i o s says:
at

Hmmm Im curious what happened to the sister after she saw the
centipede. Was she bitten and she died after? If she just fell down
and cried in pain, that’s just a little lesson for the girl. Stabbing the
dog in the eye is sooooooo much worse. So enough with the story
and moving on to the lesson, I agree with Robert that it’s a good thing
this is just a story. Both characters learned a lesson. There will always
be payback time.
Reply

A n a R o s e says:
at

The centipede was already dead when Eddie threw it to

her sister’s lap. This is one of the great stories being
taught to students in Philippine Literature. Reading short
stories teaches us significant lessons in life that we need
to comprehend for us to have a deeper understanding of
our own culture, traditions and the people that surround
us.
Reply

Translate » 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 9/10
9/26/21, 6:24 PM Summary and Review of "The Centipede," a short story by Rony V. Diaz

HOME GENERAL TIPS  ETC  CONTACT US

Yo u r n a m e says:
at

I think his sister is died because of the shooked

Reply

R O B E R T L E E says:
at

You know, after reading this story, I thought it’s a good thing this was
a story. First of all, the brutality shown by the sister towards animals
should have been stopped early on. It is also unlikely that the father
would not know. What does a kid do when something he loves was
taken from him? He would have been crying and the father would
have known.
Having said that, the story is meant to impart a lesson, and what a
valuable lesson it was.
Reply

LEAVE A REPLY
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*

Comment

Name *

Email *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I
comment.

POST COMMENT

© 2021: | Beauty and Spa Theme by: D5 Creation | Powered by: WordPress

Copy Protected by Chetan's WP-Copyprotect.

Translate » 
https://roadsandpages.com/short-story-review-centipede-rony-v-diaz1/ 10/10