Final answer:
The author uses similes and metaphors as figurative language to create vivid imagery and convey emotions, thereby developing the central idea of the narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author uses figurative language to enhance the storytelling by employing various literary devices such as similes and metaphors to create vivid imagery. For instance, a simile used in the text, "I began to climb the wheel like a squirrel," allows readers to visualize the author's actions with greater clarity and share in the emotional experience of the narrative. This use of figurative language, along with other devices like hyperbole and personification, serves to add depth to the story and further develop the central idea. Descriptive phrases and comparisons using similes and metaphors not only make the text more immersive but also convey the author's experiences and emotions more effectively.