Where the Red Fern Grows Study Guide

An unnamed man leaves his office on a beautiful spring day, happy and apparently heading home. He hears the unmistakable sounds of a dog fight and discovers an old redbone hound fending off "quite a few" other dogs who are growling and snapping. One by one the dogs attack the redbone and he bravely sends them reeling. Finally the man, now fighting angry, takes off his coat and swings it into the mass of snarling dogs, sending them running. He gets down on his knees and coaxes out the redbone hound, discovering that the dog is mud-caked and scrawny, and obviously hungry. His footpads have been worn down, showing that he has made a long journey. This explains what a hound is doing in town. (read more)