The following version of this short story was used to create the guide: Sainz Borgo, Karina. "Scissors." Granta, 2019.

Karina Sainz Borgo's short story "Scissors," is written from the third person point of view, and in the past tense. The story is primarily set in Cúcuta, Colombia, and traces a single day in the lives of the characters, Herminia, her daughter, Koralia, and granddaughter, Milagros.

Ever since the start of the Venezuelan economic crisis, Herminia and her family have begun crossing the border into neighboring Colombia for food. At the start of the story, they have just made the journey once more. Though Koralia, Milagros, and Milagros's baby were hungry after the trip, Herminia insisted she was not. She had stopped eating when these ventures began. She thought that if she refused to eat, she might reduce her burden on the family. She also insisted on joining Koralia and Milagros on the trips, because if she stayed home alone, she feared her family might never return.

Shortly after arriving in Cúcuta, Herminia began reflecting on her life and her appearance. In the recent past, she had lost a severe amount of weight, making her nearly unrecognizable. In her youth, she was plump and energetic. She ran a small corner store where she made and sold cakes. Then one day, a group of soldiers lit the shop on fire. Because the repairs were too expensive for Herminia to afford, she lost the business. Around the same time, she also lost her husband, Antonio. While driving a heavy truck through the mountains, he lost control of the vehicle, and plunged off a cliff. Ever since these losses, Herminia felt increasingly defeated. Her life had been hard, but she tried never to complain.

Milagros gave her baby to Herminia, and told her to wait in the park until they finished their errands. Herminia obliged. She hated watching the baby, but knew that having the baby with her guaranteed Koralia and Milagros's return. While sitting in the park, Herminia studied a cluster of dirty pigeons, and a band of draggers, or men and men who bartered for goods at the border. The birds did not seem so different from the people.

Meanwhile, Koralia and Milagros ventured to a local hair salon where they planned to sell their hair for money to buy food. Koralia became hesitant when the woman said she could not pay her a decent price for her hair. With Milagros's determination, Koralia found courage. The two women wished they could leave, but knew they needed the money.

As the sun began setting, Herminia worried her family had yet to return. Then she saw them approaching in the distance. They did not look like themselves. Not only were they both nearly bald, but they looked old and haggard. The women barely spoke as they moved to leave the city.

They arrived home past midnight. They made some pasta and sat at the table. Herminia only served herself a cup of the pasta water. Then Koralia announced their need to return to Cúcuta the next day. Herminia realized her daughter was going to make her cut and sell her hair, too.