Where the Red Fern Grows facts for kids

Where the Red Fern Grows is a popular book written by American author Wilson Rawls. It was first published in 1961. The story is about the special friendship between a young boy and his two hunting dogs.

The Story of Billy and His Dogs

This exciting story takes place on a farm near the Ozark mountains. The main character, Billy Coleman, tells us his story. One day, he finds a Redbone Coonhound dog caught in a fight. He helps the dog get better from its injuries. After the dog is well, Billy lets it go free. This event makes him think back to his own childhood. He then shares the amazing story of when he had two Redbone Coonhound dogs as a boy.

Billy's Dream for Puppies

When Billy was ten years old, he really wanted puppies. His parents told him they did not have enough money to buy them. So, Billy decided to earn the money himself. For two whole years, he worked very hard. He did many different jobs to save up. Finally, he saved $50. His grandfather helped him order two special Redbone Coonhound puppies.

A Long Journey for New Friends

The puppies could not be delivered by mail. So, Billy had to go pick them up himself. He walked all the way to Tahlequah, Oklahoma. On his journey, he saw how different the city was from his quiet country home. While there, he bought gifts for his family. Then, he picked up his two new puppies.

On the way back home, Billy and his puppies slept in a cave on a mountain. During the night, they heard a loud roar from a mountain lion. The brave puppies answered the roar with their own loud howls. This scared the mountain lion away! The next morning, Billy and his new dogs continued their trip home. On the way, he saw a sycamore tree with the names Dan and Ann carved into it. He decided to name his puppies Old Dan and Little Ann.

Training and a Special Bond

Billy worked hard to train his dogs to be good hunting dogs. Sometimes they made mistakes, but Billy never gave up. He kept encouraging them. Soon, Billy formed a very strong and loving bond with Old Dan and Little Ann. They became the best of friends.

A Symbol of Love

Sadly, in the end, Billy's beloved dogs grew sick and weak. They later died. Billy was very sad. He buried them on his family's farm so he would always remember them. After some time, Billy saw a beautiful red fern growing right over his dogs' graves. He saw the red fern as a special symbol. It reminded him of the strong love that had kept him and his dogs together.