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Gustave Flaubert, the prominent French author, served as a literary mentor to Guy de Maupassant. Flaubert recognized and nurtured Maupassant's talent, providing guidance and constructive criticism that shaped Maupassant's development as a writer. Through this mentorship, Maupassant honed his craft and emerged as one of the most acclaimed short story writers of all time, leaving an enduring mark on French literature.