When you find yourself in a situation where your life or that of another person is at stake, you will always do anything for your survival. This could mean betraying others or even killing enemies just to ensure your own survival. The protagonists of the stories "Gregory" by Panos Ionnides and "Lather and Nothing Else" by Hernando Tellez both find themselves facing difficult situations in which they must decide whether or not they want to save themselves by killing their enemies. However, the narrator who is a soldier in "Gregory" is ordered by the headquarters to kill his prisoner while in "Lather and Nothing Else" the barber can choose whether or not he wants to kill his customer, Captain Torres. In both stories it is clear that in times of war human instincts come into play and decisions are guided by the will to survive. To begin with, the similarity between the two tales is that both protagonists have the opportunity to kill their enemies. . The narrator of "Gregory" chooses to kill his enemy for his own survival. Another fellow soldier tells the narrator, "'If you dare, don't do it! They'll court-martial you and then bang-bang...' Well, sure. The right thing is to save your own skin. That's logical." (Ionnides, 3). If the narrator decides not to kill Gregory, it will ultimately lead to his own death. The soldier assigned to kill Gregory shows no remorse as he kills him as all he cares about is surviving the war. Because the soldier's natural instincts take control of his mind, it is rational for him to kill Gregory despite the close relationship they develop while in captivity. Furthermore, the barber in "Lather and Nothing Else" can choose whether or not to assassinate his opponent, Capta...... middle of paper......ry", the narrator has no choice and is ordered to kill Gregory or lose his life compared to the barber in "Lather and Nothing Else" where he can choose whether or not to kill his enemy To conclude, it is safe to say that when you are in a difficult position Human instincts kick in game and decisions are driven by the will to survive. "Gregory" by Panos Ionnides, the narrator has a duty to serve his country. He might disobey his command to protect a friend, but in exchange he would lose his life In "Lather and Nothing Else" by Hernando Tellez, the barber can choose whether he wants to be known as a hero in his community by killing Captain Torres but he would be killed by the opposing army. whether it is his life or someone else's and the power of deciding is in your hands, you will always choose yourself.