I was born in 1932 in Moscow, London in a small village named "Village of no names." In this village, we had very strong traditions. When a male reached the manly age of three, they must marry. i am neither a boy, nor a girl, i am a hedgehogandstories, so i didnt have to worry about that. our religion was called 'Wereallydohaveareligionbutwearetolazytonameit.' anyways, we were very poor. living on sprinkles and jam.
my love for dogs started when i was 7. everytime i saw a dog, i had to stop and pet it. i begged to my parents... to no avail. but i needed dogs... soon i became sick with desire. i didnt want to eat, drink, or work. all i ever wanted was a red bone hunting dog, allthough it was obvious that my family would never be able to afford it. even so, i started saving up. for three years i worked. than one day when i was down by the river with the fisherman, i saw it! an ad in the newspaper for dogs! and to be correct, redbone hunting dogs! i cant remember just what it said, but it showed a picture of a pup... for 50$!!! that i could afford! i already had 40! so i started doing work around the house.
soon i had 42$!
than 48!
and than... 50!!!
i was ready, and i was so pleased with myself. but who could i trust to tell about my pups? ofcourse! grandfather! he said if i could possibly raise enough money, he would pay for their shipping, and he would help train them! so i headed over to his shop. he smiled at me as i walked toward the counter. i opened my sack of change, and started pouring the money onto his desk. he watched the coins clatter onto the wood with awe.
'How--' he studered.
'So order them, grandpa!!!!' i shouted.
he laughed, and picked up his phone. 'yes- the pups. m-hm redbone hunters. yes-- i meant no! not fully grown, did i not say pups? well hurry up and check!!--- yes. yes. very good. send them in a week!--- oh dont keep me waiting sir----- very well. yes, yes have a nice day.' grandpa hung up, and shook my shoulder.
'what'd they say?' i asked.
"well there is good news- and then the bad news.' said grandpa. 'the bad news is- they cant be shipped.'
i felt tears...
'Ah-ah dont cry!' he said,'the good news is in a few weeks, i can drive you!'
a few weeks?! what could i do! i couldnt wait that long! i'll have to... run away!
'alright, grandpa. a couple weeks it is.'
grandpa gave me four saltwater taffys, and waved goodbye.
that night, i started to pack. it would only be a night, or two. in less than a week, it will be hunting season! with little food and water, i snuck out of the house... by morning, i reached town. i had never been to town before. i wasnt surprised by it's appearence. young children wore school uniforms, and jumproped on the pavement.
everyone i walked past cringed at the sight of my feet. they were dirty, and scratched. i was the only person not wearing shoes.
after an hour or so, i got to the dog shelter. it was dark, and damp. all kinds of dogs whimpered in small caiges.
'Hello!' shouted a man. 'and who are you?'
'Hedgehogsandstories' i said, holding my breath, i was so excited.
'aaah- here.' the man said, running his fingers over a lock on a caige. in the caige was- my two pups! they trotted towards me, and slobbered all over my face. i laughed untill i cried.
i carried my pups in a canvas sack with little breathing holes. i was so happy... untill a boy about my age pulled on the ear of my girl pup. i shouted, 'quit it out!!!' he kicked me in the leg. without hestation, i kicked him back.
'lil' shoeless hillbilly from da farms wanna fight?' another boy asked.
'no, no!' i shouted. 'just let me get past without anyone getting hurt!'
'he's a wimp, too!' shouted another.
'a wimp an' a hillbilly?' everyone laughed.
so they beat me untill i was red, black, and blue. i lay on the concrete for a few minutes, and the boys chuckled, and walked away. o no. here came a cop! i closed my eyes.
'need some help, young lad?' someone said, and i looked up. it was the cop! 'come with me, son.'
'wow. thanks!' i smiled, grabbing his hand. he grinned.
'come a long'! so i followed him into a soda shop where he got me a fizzing pepsi. i never had a soda before. i had never even imagined such a taste! i thanked him and thanked him, and told him 'i wish we could meet again.' he said he didnt know what i was thankful for, but they would surely meet again someday.
i found a few extra coins in my trouser pockets, and with the money i bought presents for my family.
that night, i slept in a cave in the mountains. i burned a fire to keep the mountain lions away, and to keep me and the dogs warm. near midnight, a lion came close to our cave, but threw himself away at the sight of the fire. we all slept well.
the next day, we traveled for hours, and didnt get back to home umtill twilight.
when i returned, momma was waiting at the door. she threw her arms around me, and kissed me on my cheek.
'grandpa told us where you went. he knew you went to town to get pups.' she cried,'oh hedgehogsandstories, we are ever so happy for you! may we see them?'
'ofcourse, ofcourse!' i let them out of the canvas bag. everyone was watching from the window. when the pups were let out, they all rushed outside. we all laughed, and played with my new redbones. we were all so happy!
when we went in for bed, i handed out the presents i had gotten for everyone. they were all thrilled.
the next few days, me and grandpa trained the pups for hunting season. soon it came! the dogs walked infront of me. they sniffed the trails, and clawed on trees. i already loved them so much! i returned after the first night with nothing, but it was only the first night.....................
WAIT!!!!! this is 'where the red fern grows!!!!!!!! oops!!!!
well... my memory isnt too great, so...
ENJOY THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
