Our Family Pet
Michael Boras
The grammatical errors in this passage are intentional.
Our family pet is an adorable kitten. This might not seem 1unusual. My mother hates cats. Perhaps hate is 2 to strong a word. She definitely fears them. She can’t help it. I guess 3 one could say this fear is inherited. Her mother, her three aunts, and her grandmother all share this phobia. Nonetheless, the kitten is a beloved member of our family now. 4 Here’s the story:
5 One summer morning in August, Mom and Aunt Fran went to the school track to walk. Off in the distance they heard a noise that sounded like a baby screaming. It was coming from a dumpster near the cafeteria. Alarmed, they moved closer to investigate. The wailing grew louder. Aunt Fran gasped when she saw the tiny head of a kitten trapped in a small opening in the bottom of the dumpster. 6 It’s body could not make it through the hole. Hopelessly trapped, 7 we saw that the creature continued to shriek. The women looked around for a mother 8 cat. None in sight.
They realized that the summer heat would be unbearable by midday. Quelling their fears, they rattled off options: call for someone to come help; push the kitten’s head back into the dumpster; 9pulling the rest of its body out of the opening; leave and hope someone who is not afraid finds the kitten in time; ignore the screeching and get walking.
10 Mom picked up a discarded jacket and covered the kitten’s head. She pulled gently, then firmly, but that kitten’s body was not coming out. So now it was Aunt Fran’s turn. After several attempts she pushed the kitten’s head back into the dumpster. Maternal instincts kicked in and my mother climbed into the dumpster. 11 Cautiously, she picked up the kitten.
Aunt Fran 13 said we oughtta name her D.D. for dumpster diver, but we were set on Lily. After our trip with the kitty to the vet, we learned that Lily is a boy! Of course we plan to change his name. We haven’t convinced Mom that we need a friend for the kitty, but I am optimistic. I like the name Frank, but my sister is pushing for Harold. Whatever name we choose, I am glad that mom and Aunt Fran were able to face their fears.
Question
What traditional theme is conveyed through this story?
Responses
AThe importance of family
The importance of family
BThe importance of sisters
The importance of sisters
CThe importance of family pets
The importance of family pets
DThe importance of overcoming fears