How Do Characters Change the Story? The plot, or the series of events in a story, includes the characters’ actions. The way each character acts depends on his or her character traits, or special qualities. These character traits affect what happens in the story.

For example, Dinero Martínez is greedy. He wants what belongs to others:

Because this character is greedy, he tries to take the Chicharrones’ houses. What the other characters do in response to Dinero depends on their own character traits. Someone who is silly will act differently from someone who is mean. These character traits can affect, or change, the plot.

Practice Together

Use a Chart You can use the chart below to list the traits of characters in the story. Work with the class to add traits for Papá and Pereza. Discuss how the traits of each character affect what happens in the story. Briefly state what happens on the chart.

Try It!

Complete the Chart Work with a partner to finish the chart. Add two other characters. Analyze how the plot might be different if the characters had different traits. For example, what if the three pigs were all like Astuto? What if Dinero was helpful, lazy, or foolish?