"The Fifth Fact" is a short story by Gary Soto about a young boy named Ritchie who is tasked with writing a report about a famous historical figure. Ritchie is initially unsure who to write about, but after talking to his father, he decides to research Hernando Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztecs.
As Ritchie begins to research Cortes, he becomes increasingly fascinated by the man's bravery and intelligence. However, as he delves deeper, he also learns about the darker aspects of Cortes' conquest, including his ruthless tactics, the enslavement of indigenous people, and the spread of disease that devastated the Aztec population.
Ritchie is conflicted by what he has learned and struggles to reconcile Cortes' positive and negative qualities. He eventually decides to include a "fifth fact" in his report, acknowledging both the heroism and the brutality of Cortes' actions.
In the end, Ritchie presents his report to the class, and while some of his classmates are critical of his portrayal of Cortes, his teacher commends him for his thoughtful and nuanced analysis. The story ultimately highlights the complexity of history and the importance of considering multiple perspectives when trying to understand the past.