The First Walk With Old Dan and Little Ann

Authors Note:

The main character, Billy, in Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls first buys his dogs in the town and this is about the scene after he picks up the dog. The purpose is to understand how he was feeling and what I believe they were thinking about him.  

“I hadn’t gone far before I realized that the reception I got wasn’t what I thought it would be. People began to stop and stare, some even snickered.” This was what was running through Billy’s mind when he just picked up his dogs from the town.  The author never clarified why they were laughing at innocent Billy.

Many scenarios where running through my head. Are they laughing because he isn’t wearing shoes? Does he look funny? Do the dogs look funny? Or are they just plain mean. Then I came to my theory. Maybe they are laughing because this little boy from the country is walking around with two hunting dogs. How in the world was he able to pay for those and he isn’t old enough to go hunting with those dogs anyway? Most people that see a little boy walking around with no shoes and two dogs would stop and wonder what is going on with him.  They judge a book before they actually open up and see the contents.

Although I have my theory, Billy has no idea of why they were laughing. How would he respond to them if he knew why? From knowing all of Billy’s thoughts and actions I see him as a sensitive boy. He was already hurt and embarrassed from everyone in town laughing at him, if he knew the reason he might feel insecure or scared to ever go back into town again.

This scene relates to our lives today. For example, anyone might be walking down the hall and they notice some people stare or snicker. Yet, most of the time no one clarifies why they did this. When we are in that position you most likely will not want to go through that again. Like Billy, he never wanted to back into town because of that.

In conclusion people in town were probably judging him, and thinking little of him because of his looks and age. If Billy knew that that was the reason he would feel more insecure or scared to enter the town again. Lastly, this scene from the story can relate to our world and society today.