Chapter 9

Pa was dismayed when Gus announced that he was enlisted and chosen for the army. He will
go for basic training the next day. Pa accused him of being lazy and this is just an excuse to run
away from the farm duties.

Pa's angry outburst and relate about his brother, who was killed in Cuba silences Gus.
Richard tried to talk to Gus but he refused to listen. Before leaving, Gus tried to talk to his
father, but he was unresponsive. Richard begins to understand Hannah's worry about h er
brother Otto, who join the army earlier. Pa is more silent after Gus left. Richard finds comfort
visiting the Schemers and writing poems.

One afternoon, Richard received another letter from Mr. Kilmer. Richard thought that this is
the kindest and warmest letter the poet had ever written to him. There are many advices and
encouragements in it. He writes a reply and asks how a poem can make the world a better
place. He feels the urgency to post the letter.

On his way to the post office, he stops by Hannah's house. He calls her to accompany him to
the post office. When Hannah opens the door, he could tell from her expression that something
awful had happened. "Your friend, Mr. Kilmer, has been killed", Hannah says.

Chapter 10

The news of Mr Kilmer's death is in the newspaper. The headline "Beloved American poet
killed in Battle." There is a picture Of Mr Kilmer. Richard gazes at the smiling face of his poet
mentor and friend, for the first time. The article recounts the circumstances of Kilmer's death
and how his comrades bury him in France.

Richard is too shocked to cry, but when he realises that the unposted letter is still in his
pocket, reality strikes. He excused himself from the Schermers and run to his favourite oak tree
where he cries freely.

Richard composes a poem "In Memory of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer", expressing sadness over
the loss of a world rhyme and song he had treasured. He shares the poem with the Schermers
the next day and they insist that more people should read it. The poem is touching and
beautiful. Many families in Turtle Lake also lost their loved ones and Richard's poem would
mean a lotto them.

Richard agrees, so he and Hannah took the poem to the "Turtle Lake Weekly" office to be
published. However, Richard fears what Pa's reaction if his poem is printed.

On Tuesday, the poem is in the newspaper. Richard is hiding in his room when pa walks in.
He looks calm and tranquil. pa told him about uncle Roland’s death in a war, and Richard's
poem reflect how he actually feel. Now he understood why Richard wrote poems. Richard too
understand, how a poem can make the world a better place.
 Chapter 9
Pa was dismayed when Gus announced that he was enlisted and chosen for the army. He will
go for basic training the next day. Pa accused him of being lazy and this is just an excuse to run
away from the farm duties.

Pa's angry outburst and relate about his brother, who was killed in Cuba silences Gus.
Richard tried to talk to Gus but he refused to listen. Before leaving, Gus tried to talk to his
father, but he was unresponsive. Richard begins to understand Hannah's worry about her
brother Otto, who join the army earlier. Pa is more silent after Gus left. Richard finds comfort
visiting the Schemers and writing poems.

One afternoon, Richard received another letter from Mr. Kilmer. Richard thought that this is
the kindest and warmest letter the poet had ever written to him. There are many advices and
encouragements in it. He writes a reply and asks how a poem can make the world a better
place. He feels the urgency to post the letter.

On his way to the post office, he stops by Hannah's house. He calls her to accompany him to
the post office. When Hannah opens the door, he could tell from her expression that something
awful had happened. "Your friend, Mr. Kilmer, has been killed", Hannah says.

Chapter 10

The news of Mr Kilmer's death is in the newspaper. The headline "Beloved American poet
killed in Battle." There is a picture Of Mr Kilmer. Richard gazes at the smiling face of his poet
mentor and friend, for the first time. The article recounts the circumstances of Kilmer's death
and how his comrades bury him in France.

Richard is too shocked to cry, but when he realises that the unposted letter is still in his
pocket, reality strikes. He excused himself from the Schermers and run to his favourite oak tree
where he cries freely.

Richard composes a poem "In Memory of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer", expressing sadness over
the loss of a world rhyme and song he had treasured. He shares the poem with the Schermers
the next day and they insist that more people should read it. The poem is touching and
beautiful. Many families in Turtle Lake also lost their loved ones and Richard's poem would
mean a lotto them.

Richard agrees, so he and Hannah took the poem to the "Turtle Lake Weekly" office to be
published. However, Richard fears what Pa's reaction if his poem is printed.

On Tuesday, the poem is in the newspaper. Richard is hiding in his room when pa walks in.
He looks calm and tranquil. pa told him about uncle Roland’s death in a war, and Richard's
poem reflect how he actually feel. Now he understood why Richard wrote poems. Richard too
understand, how a poem can make the world a better place.