Where the Red Fern Grows

Billy tells his parents the entire story, and how the boys' escapades led to Rubin's death. His mother cries, and his father tells him to alert some neighbors. Papa goes to tell the Pritchards and Grandpa. He returns in the afternoon with their mule, wet and exhausted. He later tells Billy that they brought Rubin's body to the Pritchards' place. Rainie had been too dazed to explain what happened, but they knew something was wrong. Papa told them, and though the news had an impact on Old Man Pritchard, none of the men in the family cried. Papa tells Billy not to see the Pritchards anymore.