My teacher read us the book Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardner and Gabriele Hafermaas. It's about a dog sled race and a grandfather. She asked us to write an ending chapter. (chapter 11)
Hunter Schmidt
February 7, 2007
There was deathly silence. All was still. Little Willy looked at Doc Smith. She was crying into her handkerchief. Stone Fox nodded at Willy and then at his sled, his four beautiful Samoyeds leading it. Little Willy understood. He jumped on the sled. Stone Fox got on behind him. Stone Fox directed his Samoyeds to pull them forward. Soon, they gathered speed.
Snowflakes were falling lazily from the sky. Little Willy brushed some off his shoulders. They had won the $500. Little Willy would have to give it to Clifford Snyder later. But that could wait. He looked back at the place where Searchlight had died. All the other racers stood thunderstruck. Stone Fox was still pointing his rifle backward.
Willy had many thoughts as they reached the farm. What would he tell Grandfather? How would he tell it?
When they got inside, Grandfather came tumbling down the stairs.
“How’d ya do?” he asked. Little Willy showed him Searchlight. Instantly, Willy’s only relative burst into tears.
Stone Fox couldn’t help it and Little Willy pretended not to notice the tear forming under the racer’s eye.
That night Willy lay sleepless on his bed. Preparations for the funeral would have to be made in the morning. Suddenly, he heard a rooster crow. It was morning at last.
Grandfather woke up later and called Doc Smith. But she already knew. Grandfather asked Willy if there was any special place he thought Searchlight was happiest. Willy asked why he wanted to know.
Grandfather replied, “So we have a place to bury her.”
Willy thought a moment and answered, “I think she was happiest here with me and you.”
Clifford Snyder arrived with a solemn face. He said, “I wish that we could take the taxes off with Searchlight gone. This must be hard for you, Willy.”
Clifford Snyder said, “But taxes must be paid.”
So Grandfather asked Willy where he put the prize money.
“In the money box,” Willy replied .So grandfather went and took out the floorboards covering the safe. He opened it up and paid the taxes.
Clifford Snyder left weeping.
They told everyone who wanted to come to Searchlight’s funeral to come at 4:40. So, later that day, 4:40, exactly, Little Willy and Grandfather sat waiting on the porch.
The first to arrive was Stone Fox drifting along in his sled, pulled by his five beautiful Samoyeds. Stone Fox didn’t speak.
The next to arrive was Doc Smith. She probably had a handkerchief or two wadded in her pocket because it was bulging.
The next to arrive was Mayor Smiley. He had received the previous call and had accepted undoubtedly.
Next into view came Mr. Foster and Lester, from the general store. Shoulder to shoulder they walked toward the assembled group.
Last, came Clifford Snyder, the tax man. He explained getting the invitation late and rushing to come.
When everyone was assembled Grandfather stood up to give a speech.
“I know all of you witnessed Searchlight’s death. All of us are sad for her. She gave the sled all she had to give. She had done many great things and helped me recover. She was loyal and loving. (Doc Smith burst into tears at this.) She had done great things. We will now lay her to rest.”
Suddenly, everyone was sobbing and weeping. Little Willy snuck a look at Doc Smith she blew her nose loudly everyone looked at her and tried to not look annoyed. They lifted Searchlight into the pit they had dug for her. They buried her and put in her gravestone. The gravestone read:
In memory of Searchlight the, dog that saved a live .The clock struck five in the background. All was silent. Searchlight’s body would rest in peace.
February 7, 2007
There was deathly silence. All was still. Little Willy looked at Doc Smith. She was crying into her handkerchief. Stone Fox nodded at Willy and then at his sled, his four beautiful Samoyeds leading it. Little Willy understood. He jumped on the sled. Stone Fox got on behind him. Stone Fox directed his Samoyeds to pull them forward. Soon, they gathered speed.
Snowflakes were falling lazily from the sky. Little Willy brushed some off his shoulders. They had won the $500. Little Willy would have to give it to Clifford Snyder later. But that could wait. He looked back at the place where Searchlight had died. All the other racers stood thunderstruck. Stone Fox was still pointing his rifle backward.
Willy had many thoughts as they reached the farm. What would he tell Grandfather? How would he tell it?
When they got inside, Grandfather came tumbling down the stairs.
“How’d ya do?” he asked. Little Willy showed him Searchlight. Instantly, Willy’s only relative burst into tears.
Stone Fox couldn’t help it and Little Willy pretended not to notice the tear forming under the racer’s eye.
That night Willy lay sleepless on his bed. Preparations for the funeral would have to be made in the morning. Suddenly, he heard a rooster crow. It was morning at last.
Grandfather woke up later and called Doc Smith. But she already knew. Grandfather asked Willy if there was any special place he thought Searchlight was happiest. Willy asked why he wanted to know.
Grandfather replied, “So we have a place to bury her.”
Willy thought a moment and answered, “I think she was happiest here with me and you.”
Clifford Snyder arrived with a solemn face. He said, “I wish that we could take the taxes off with Searchlight gone. This must be hard for you, Willy.”
Clifford Snyder said, “But taxes must be paid.”
So Grandfather asked Willy where he put the prize money.
“In the money box,” Willy replied .So grandfather went and took out the floorboards covering the safe. He opened it up and paid the taxes.
Clifford Snyder left weeping.
They told everyone who wanted to come to Searchlight’s funeral to come at 4:40. So, later that day, 4:40, exactly, Little Willy and Grandfather sat waiting on the porch.
The first to arrive was Stone Fox drifting along in his sled, pulled by his five beautiful Samoyeds. Stone Fox didn’t speak.
The next to arrive was Doc Smith. She probably had a handkerchief or two wadded in her pocket because it was bulging.
The next to arrive was Mayor Smiley. He had received the previous call and had accepted undoubtedly.
Next into view came Mr. Foster and Lester, from the general store. Shoulder to shoulder they walked toward the assembled group.
Last, came Clifford Snyder, the tax man. He explained getting the invitation late and rushing to come.
When everyone was assembled Grandfather stood up to give a speech.
“I know all of you witnessed Searchlight’s death. All of us are sad for her. She gave the sled all she had to give. She had done many great things and helped me recover. She was loyal and loving. (Doc Smith burst into tears at this.) She had done great things. We will now lay her to rest.”
Suddenly, everyone was sobbing and weeping. Little Willy snuck a look at Doc Smith she blew her nose loudly everyone looked at her and tried to not look annoyed. They lifted Searchlight into the pit they had dug for her. They buried her and put in her gravestone. The gravestone read:
In memory of Searchlight the, dog that saved a live .The clock struck five in the background. All was silent. Searchlight’s body would rest in peace.
3 comments:
Excellent writing Hunter.
Hunter that is a great story. I am very impressed.
Good But Make The Title Say Chapter 11 Searchlights Funeral
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