Haruki Murakami’s story “The Seventh Man” is a gripping tale told mostly in the first person by the seventh man himself. Let’s do some brainstorming to identify some possibilities for you to retell the story from another point of view.

Your first task is to choose that other point of view. You might select the narrator’s friend K., who is swept away in a tidal wave. This would certainly provide plenty of room for imaginative details. You could talk about how K. feels about his friend and how he follows his friend down to the beach. You should include what K. is looking at as the wave approaches him and his reaction as it towers over him and begins to sweep him away. Think about whether K. is frightened, angry, or simply accepting, and be sure to capture K.’s innocent, loving spirit.

Alternately, you might tell the story from the point of view of the neighbor who rescues the narrator. The neighbor is watching from safety, and he sees what happens without being able to do anything to help the boys. You might have him discuss his feelings of helplessness as the scene unfolds. Also, he should describe what he sees, K. bending over looking at something and the narrator running away. You might even have the neighbor comment about his understanding (or lack of understanding) with regard to the narrator’s actions.