The fact that world literature stories usually come from other countries and cultures, there is that we can take from their intended messages
a. as a result of; little or nothing
b. despite; always some meaning

the use of “as” in the example to draw the resemblance. some more examples of common similes are given below. common examples of simile. our soldiers are as brave as lions. her cheeks are red like a rose. he is as funny as a monkey. the water well was as dry as a bone. he is as cunning as a fox. simile introduces vividness into what we say.

ok if it wasn't the hans one it was probably c or he thought the mountain was collapsing on them.