4-MAT REVIEW: FIRST CHOICE ASSIGNMENT 1
4-MAT Review: First Choice Assignment
Hannah K. Smith
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
TRMA 800: Child Adolescent Research Design
Dr. Anthony Coy
September 7, 2025
4-MAT Review: First Choice Assignment
Summary
In Where the Red Fern Grows, readers are introduced to Billy Colman early on. He lives
with his family in the Ozark Mountains with little money. Billy wants to buy two hunting dogs,
but the family does not have extra money to give him to buy them. He must work for it. As you
read, you notice that the author shows the innocence of childhood and how one matures
through it. Billy learns what struggle, sacrifice, and grief feel like while developing resilience on
his journey. The understanding he gains throughout the novel and connection he has with his
bloodhounds becomes an empowering tool.
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Billy’s story begins as he decides that he wants to get hunting dogs, but since his family
lives in poverty, extra money is not available. His desire to have them becomes a driving force
that one will see throughout the novel. This determined young man begins to save every penny
that he can by working different small jobs and even sacrificing and denying himself of certain
things until he has the amount that he needs to make the purchase (Rawls, 1961, Ch. 2-3). This
two-year long process shows the sacrifice, grit, and patience he had. Billy was finally able to get
his hunting dogs, and their connection was immediate. The connection that he had with the
dogs becomes apart of who he is and who he will become.
Billy’s continued dedication to his dogs once he has them is inspiring. He committed to
training them and working with them daily. The two dogs committed to him too. Old Dan and
Little Ann has opposite demeanors, he was strong and fearless while she was intelligent and
cautious. Those two combined with Billy formed the perfect hunting trio. The hunts that are
described in book go through the Ozark woods, and they represent something deeper than a
boy hunting with his dogs. The hunts represent commitment, teamwork, and determination,
and you can see the bond between the three deepen as the books goes on. Their love and trust
in one another continue to grow.
On the hunts, Billy and his dogs experience triumph. The enter competitions, and due to
their performance are able to earn respect for their skills. However, the novel does not only
show the triumph but the challenges too. The three face challenges and moments of sacrifice.
On one of the hunts, they encounter a mountain lion. The dog’s loyalty to Billy leads them to
risk their lives to protect him. Sadly, Old Dan was injured and dies. Billy gave his all trying to save
his brave dog, but it was not enough. This was Billy’s experience with loss and grief, which
played a major role in his development. The grief continues in Little Ann, who could not live
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without Old Dan, as they were companions. Her own sadness and heartbreak take a toll on her
health and she soon dies as well.
Some readers may view the depth of the tragedy as a bit much and believe that certain
aspects should be shied away from, but Rawls does a good job of framing the inevitable part of
life. Life contains love and loss. Even when he is hurting, Billy finds hope. As the family is getting
ready to move, he looks at his dog’s burial spot one more time. As he looks, he sees a red fern
growing at the site. A Native American legend says the red fern is sacred and that an angel
planted it. It means that it was touched by something divine. The red fern represents hope, the
love he shared with his dogs, and a meaningful attribute to their relationship.
Billy went through a lot throughout the book. He learned about having perseverance,
having unconditional love, and loss with his dogs. Seeing the red fern was a representation that
there is peace, hope, and God at work even when we feel immense pain. The red fern was God’s
way of providing comfort for Billy as they left. This story goes beyond one of a boy and his dogs.
Readers experience the transition of childhood innocence through maturing just as Billy did. His
journey resonates with many because is has many universal truths and the impact of love and
loss on us.
Concrete Responses
As time moves on, we often forget about things until something influences us to recall
that memory. This novel took me on a stroll down memory lane. Just as Billy was consumed and
somewhat obsessed with earning money to buy the dogs, as a child I remember wanting
something so badly that the thought consumed me. For me, it was not a hunting dog but a new
softball bat. We were big ball players in my house, and I remember always using a bat for two to
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three years before getting a new one. It was not that I had a bad one or was unappreciative, but
after a year of having my most recent one, a new one came out and I knew that I had to have it.
Like Billy, I had to work for it. However, I did not have to work like he did. I did not work
because we knew what struggle was. I worked because my parents wanted to instill work ethic,
the value of a dollar, and responsibility within me. They had extra money, but they did not want
us to know what it was like to say “I want” and then get each time. I had to do various jobs
around the house. Whether I was helping take care of our pool from checking the pH levels to
putting in the correct amount of chlorine, cutting the grass, or cleaning up around the house
beyond what was already expected of me, I had to work and meet their expectations to earn
money for the softball bat.
I kept my money in a glass piggy bank with my name painted on it in my bedroom. I
would often count the money as a reminder, even when I felt stubborn and wanted to do
nothing on a given day. I had seen the bat I wanted, and that visual sat in my head as a reminder
of what I wanted. It proved to be effective in pushing my desire and work ethic. That first look of
it truly stuck out (Yazdi et al., 2006). The day came that I was able to purchase the new bat. I
remember feeling so happy as I was getting the one thing, I had worked so hard for. It was scary
at the same time though. I worked hard and long tasks and sometimes had to redo them
because they did not meet my parent’s expectations. I was taught how much work goes into
earning money and how quickly it goes away. I was proud, but when I saw the money go it was
bittersweet. The softball bat was more than an object. It represented something deeper within
me. It represented my patience, frustration, perseverance, and goal all in one.
The same way Billy loved his dogs reminded me of how I loved my softball bat. I would
not leave it in the car if it was below a certain temperature outside and would bring it in to be at
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room temperature. I would only take batting practice with it before a game and not just a
regularly scheduled practice. I would also not let anyone else use it. This was not out of
disrespect for them but out of not overly using my bat. I also would not knock the dirt out of my
cleats with it. These small aspects may seem tiresome and overly thought out, but I had a new
found level of respect after working so hard. I refused to let anything mess up or limit the
longterm use I had with my bat. I even went as far as not letting my sister use it. Billy and I were
both children that chased a dream and found something that gave us fulfillment.
The most touching and hardest hitting part of the story was not the triumph but the loss
experienced. While my life was drastically different from Billy’s, I know the pain he experienced
when losing his dogs all too well. I, too, lost a dog. She was the dog that was my first
responsibility. She listened to all of my secrets, played all of the games I wanted her to, and
would lay there with me when I wanted to. She would even go outside and lay beside me as I
took batting practice. She and softball served as an outlet in my life. She got me through my
parent's divorce too. She saw the best and worst of me, and she loved me still with each passing
day. She gave support that only she could during that time in my life. Both of my parents were
hurting as they were navigating the divorce, but so was I as I learned to navigate a new normal
as well. My dog was there and was a constant that never swayed.
The day came that I knew her health was declining, but I certainly was not prepared for
the news that the vet gave. She was in heart failure, but we gave medicine to see if we could
help her. My dog lived a good life for 14 years, and selfishly I was not ready to let her go just yet.
I prayed to God for a little more time, and He gave me that. That was a Friday and we had a
follow up on the following Monday. That was the day I had to make the hardest decision of my
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life. I was alone in the vet’s office and knew it was time. I thanked God for giving me one more
weekend, but I hurt more than I ever knew was possible on that following Monday.
When Billy buried his dogs, I felt the same pain in my throat that was there the day my
dog was put to sleep. All of my memories with her came back and a sadness set in. It felt like I
had lost her all over again. I would bet Billy felt the same heaviness in his chest that I felt in
mine. Grief is more than the loss of whatever or whomever it may be. It also involves the little
pieces of you that seem to go with them when they leave.
No flowers grew where I buried my dog like the red fern did in the novel, but grass did
end up growing back. This was a reminder to me that life is still beautiful even when we
experience sorrow. The red fern was significant in beauty and that an angel planted it. It gave
Billy peace as they were leaving on their move. Just as he found comfort, I did too. It was like
God whispered into my heart that this was not the end. The Bible defines love as being patient,
kind, not boastful or envious (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Holy Bible, New International Version), and
He taught me that through the love and bond with my own dog. She taught me so much and
was a big cheerleader in my corner as I worked hard for various tasks throughout life, including
that new softball bat.
Reflection
As I reflect on Where the Red Fern Grows and my personal experiences, I found
questions within myself. Billy and I both worked to earn money for our goal. While he had a
different path than I did, what is the cost of perseverance? This question brought out deeper
reflection into my own past but more so on Billy’s. He sacrificed a lot in his childhood, and I also
made sacrifices to achieve my end goal, but nothing like he did. He worked for two whole years
to save up fifty dollars to buy his dogs. He endured physical discomfort and limited social
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interactions with his peers. How can we teach children the value of perseverance if there is a
harmful cost to it? It is an important trait to have, but one should not have a mental or physical
toll taken on their well-being. Our worth is not found solely in achieving the end goal. How can
we instill the value of the smaller lessons learned along the way, even if they may not get the
greater end goal like they wanted? Billy’s determination was admirable, and I admire the
determination that my younger self had, but I wonder if the novel and even real life sometimes
puts too much emphasis on enduring certain things at all costs. We should plan to teach
perseverance in a healthier way. Alfasi and Migdalovich (2020) noted that planning helps lead
decision-making from largescale aspects to the detail-oriented aspects. We cannot limit what
life gives us, but we can control certain ways we approach lessons taught.
With hope, another question that came to mind was pertaining to the red fern. The red
fern comes from legend and stories passed down through generations. It symbolizes peace and
hope. My question is what are the red ferns in my personal life? Where has God unexpectedly
shown me His presence, love and commitment while experiencing love, loss, or even grief?
Reflecting on this requires me to think on a deeper level and look beyond the surface level
feelings I have experienced. I truly believe when I lost my dog that God spoke to me. One night I
had a dream, and it was with my dog that I had recently lost. She was whole again and no longer
struggling. She was the same happy girl I grew up knowing, and it was what my heart needed. I
was able to feel and smell my dog one last time. As it was time to get up, she walked off and
joined a man in a very lit place. I like to believe, and will continue to, that was God telling me He
was there, that He had His hand in my life, and He was taking care of me and seeing me through
my pain. This reminder helped me, and reinforced that I should lean on my faith more, not just
in struggle. He is always working in my life, even when I cannot see it.
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Another question I found myself having was when do we actually move from childhood
into adulthood? The novel showed Billy’s transition from being a child through his maturity and
growth into a young man after he experiences love, loss, and grief. Do achievements push us
there? Does it happen when we go through experiences that change us? The book makes it
seem like we have to experience loss and suffering to move us into that transition, but I
disagree. Loss is hard and an inevitable part of life, but it is only a chapter in our personal lives.
It does not mark the end of our being. I think maturity, growth, and our transition involve
multiple aspects, including holding both hope and sorrow together.
My reflections on Where the Red Fern Grows deepened my thoughts. The portrayal of
determination, discipline, perseverance, love, and loss was greatly illustrated. I finished the
book wondering how much suffering is necessary for personal growth, how much perseverance
should take from us, and how to interpret signs of God’s presence in our lives. I did not leave
with clear answers, but the novel sparked further thoughts and questions within myself. With
faith in God, we can find comfort in the belief that through grace and hope our healing
promotes redemption and renewal (Valenta & Poljak Lukek, 2024).
Application
As I read, I found depth to the text that goes beyond the story of a boy and his dogs. The
understanding that I found shed light on the different aspects I can apply it in my own life. Billy
worked hard to save money over a two-year period and that was a reminder of how important it
is to have patience in perseverance. Often people want a quick fix or instant gratification, but
the reality of life is that may not always be possible. In a culture that I have personally heard “if
you are not cheating, you are not trying” or “why think harder when you can think smarter,”
quick fixes and instant gratification are promoted and have become somewhat an expectation.
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Therefore, I want to personally practice being more intentional in my discipline and have
longterm goals that lead me towards delayed gratification. It will require commitment, but no
matter the reasoning for it, it will pay off. In my personal life, I slacked off running here recently.
To help push me in my commitment to running, I have signed up for a half marathon. This
commitment to the race and giving my all will help hold me accountable and be a long-term
goal as I will not run until March.
As a counselor that does help others through grief, love, and loss, the pain and growth
experienced in the novel was impactful to my professional being. When things are going great, I
do not see a lot of students on an individual basis, but whenever they are experiencing
suffering, pain, or just having a hard day, they come to me for support. I cannot take away their
pain, but I can help guide them to an understanding of it. As I practice, I want to help lead
students to finding their own red ferns within their personal lives. Through reflective practices, I
will guide them to see God’s presence in their lives and how He is not done working yet.
Another actionable step I want to take is how I view and help others view failure and
loss. The passing of Billy’s dogs had a deeper meaning than just death. The passing of his dogs
shaped his character and outlook on life. It is easy for anyone to view setbacks as failure and
permanent thus giving up. In reality, a setback is a chance to reflect and an opportunity to grow.
I want to lead by example. When I experience my own setbacks, I want to be more intentional in
how I respond to them. I am guilty of having the mindset, and even saying something along the
lines of “well, I guess it did not matter that much.” I tend to make light of situations or setbacks.
This is a way that I cope with them. Instead of making light of them, I should practice reflecting
on the situation more. I should ask myself, what can I learn from this? If I am intentional in
practicing this, it will help me model the process of my students. I love to use personal accounts
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with my young students as they often need a story to help them in their understanding. I
remember thinking adults had it all together when I was a kid, and that thought has not
changed much with kids today. It is still easy to think adults know everything. Therefore,
through personal accounts, I will show my students that even as an adult, I still experience
setbacks. Those setbacks do not define who I am though. While they may not be how I had
planned for things to go, God’s plan is far greater than my own and I just have to have faith in
that (Jeremiah
29:11, Holy Bible, New International Version).
When I think about how the red fern grew between the dogs, I think back to how the
grass that grew back where I buried my own dog. Grass will grow back no matter what, but that
reminder was life continues to grow. Even though I was sad, roots were planted and God’s
creation grew. I have a deeper appreciation for my favorite childhood book now. As I read it this
week, the novel pushed me to think deeply. It has instilled patience within me, made me more
cognitive of being present, and having faith throughout my own journey. If I take these steps, I
will be able to show up more for, not just for myself, but those I serve.
Conclusion
This story of a boy and his dogs leads readers to look beyond the storyline. It leads
individuals take a look into their own lives and reflect on perseverance, love, loyalty, and loss,
God’s divine intervention in the text is inspiring in how He touches our own lives. In some
aspects, most readers can connect to Billy’s journey, whether it be from the desire of a want to
experiencing loss and suffering, it shows us that nobody is above the inevitable in life. While
some aspects are beyond our control, but there is beauty on the other side. God is present even
when we do not see Him, and He plants the seed of hope within us.
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References
Alfasi, N., & Migdalovich, E. (2020). Losing faith in planning. Land use Policy, 97,
104790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104790
Valenta, T., & Poljak Lukek, S. (2024). Personal growth through suffering: Post-traumatic spiritual
transformation. Bogoslovska Smotra (Online), 94(5), 839-858.
https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.94.5.9
Rawls, W. (1961). Where the Red Fern Grows. Bantam Books.
Yazdi, A. A., German, T. P., Defeyter, M. A., & Siegal, M. (2006). Competence and performance in
belief-desire reasoning across two cultures: The truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth about false belief? Cognition, 100(2), 343-
368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2005.05.004
