People or events that appear very briefly in life may have dramatic effects on the lives of people they touch upon. Basketball coaches from the junior high school level often influence their athletes to take up playing basketball in their high school career. Dying friends often compel people to conduct research and dedicate their lives to the study of medicine. Galapas' short stint with Merlin turns Merlin's life around in the novel, The Crystal Cave …showed first 75 words of 523 total…

…showed last 75 words of 523 total…life even after his death. Therefore, Galapas' short time with young Merlin took at firm grasp on his life and helped shape it even beyond the grave. At an early age, Merlin is introduced to the fine arts and sciences and magic. Later in life, Merlin returns to find Galapas, but in turn finds Galapas in himself and becomes a facsimile of Galapas. Galapas is truly a stepping stone in the advancement of Merlin's personality.