Where the Red Fern Grows

Though working on the farm helps Billy distract himself from his dog-wanting for a time, it never fully eradicates his feelings of longing. One day, while hoeing corn, Billy hears a group of fishermen who have been camped out by the creek depart in their car. He hurries down to the river to prowl through their campsite and collect anything they might have left behind. Sure enough, Billy finds a great “treasure”: a sportsman’s magazine. As Billy flips through the “For Sale” section, he comes across and advertisement for hound pups for sale for $25 each at a kennel in Kentucky. Billy’s longing is renewed, but he agonizes over how to earn $50. He recalls something his mother once told him: “God helps those who help themselves.” He prays that God will help him get his hounds.

Billy leaves the fishermen’s campsite as dusk begins to fall. He notices animals coming to life throughout the forest. Comforted by nature, he stills his mind and he begins thinking of a plan to save the money. Billy decides to sell bait and fresh vegetables from the farm to the local fisherman and to sell the small game hides he traps throughout the winter. He begins dreaming of building a doghouse and making collars—but he becomes determined to remain realistic and not get ahead of himself. 

The next day, Billy finds an old baking powder can and he washes it up. He deposits 23 cents—all the money he has in the world—in the bottom of it. The sight of the paltry sum doesn’t depress Billy, but instead it motivates him to work hard. All summer, Billy “work[s] like a beaver” selling bait and gathering blackberries to sell to his grandfather, who owns a store in town. Billy’s grandpa becomes curious about what Billy’s saving up for, and Billy confides in the man about his plan. Grandpa promises that when Billy has saved up enough money, he will place the order for Billy’s dogs himself.

Over the course of that winter and the following summer, Billy continues working hard. After a year, Billy, now 12, has saved well over the halfway mark. Another year of hard work sails by, and at last Billy has his $50. He cries as he counts his money and he confirms that he has the right sum. Contented and proud, Billy offers up a prayer of thanks to God for giving him the “heart, courage, and determination” to work hard and to never give up hope.

The next day, Billy brings his can of money to his grandfather’s store and he presents his “dumbfounded” grandpa with the money. Grandpa is stunned that Billy has been saving relentlessly for two years. When Billy produces the yellowed old ad from the sportsman’s magazine from his pocket, Grandpa becomes emotional. Billy notices his grandfather looking at him strangely. Grandpa tells Billy that his hair is too long and that his feet are all cut up; Billy explains that he’s been working so hard harvesting blackberries that he hasn’t noticed either. Grandpa turns away from Billy, removes his glasses, and blows his nose into his handkerchief.

Grandpa turns back around and he tells Billy that it’s time to get him his dogs. He urges Billy to head home—he is going to make some calls and see if the Kentucky kennel is still breeding redbone coonhounds. Before Billy leaves, however, Grandpa pulls a large sack from behind the register and fills it with candy until it’s stuffed. Billy hurries home and he shares the candy with his three little sisters, enjoying the happiness he sees in their eyes as they devour the sweets.