Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ “This is Jody’s Fawn” is a touching story about a young boy’s compassion and sense of responsibility toward an orphaned fawn after his father’s life is saved by sacrificing the fawn’s mother. Written for Class 8 English students, this blog post explores Jody’s journey from concern to caregiving, highlighting themes of empathy, moral duty, and the human-animal bond. Through detailed sections, bullet points, tables, and preserved questions with their original answers, this guide brings the story’s emotional depth and ethical lessons to life.
The Snakebite Incident
The story begins with a critical event that sets the stage for Jody’s moral dilemma, as his father survives a rattlesnake bite by using a doe’s organs.
- Jody’s father Penny gets bitten by rattlesnake.
- Uses emergency remedy with doe’s organs to survive.
- Kills a mother doe to make the life-saving medicine.
- Jody starts worrying about the orphaned fawn.
Jody’s Concern
Jody’s empathy for the orphaned fawn grows, driving him to take responsibility for its survival after his family’s actions left it motherless.
- Can’t stop thinking about the hungry baby deer.
- Feels responsible since they took its mother’s life.
- Asks permission to find and care for the fawn.
- Offers to share his own milk with the animal.
Getting Permission
Jody’s family and community support his mission to rescue the fawn, recognizing it as a moral obligation stemming from their actions.
- Father Penny agrees it’s the right thing to do.
- Mother Baxter reluctantly agrees to spare some milk.
- Family friend Mill-wheel offers to help search.
- Doctor supports the plan as moral responsibility.
The Search Begins
Jody embarks on a determined search for the fawn, navigating the scrub with a mix of hope and apprehension, guided by a landmark pine tree.
- Jody and Mill-wheel ride to the scrub area.
- Jody remembers where the doe was killed.
- Wants to search alone for privacy with the fawn.
- Uses a tall pine tree as navigation guide.
Finding the Fawn
After a tense search, Jody discovers the fawn, a fragile creature that stirs his compassion and solidifies his commitment to its care.
- Discards buzzards feeding on the doe’s body.
- Searches the area carefully.
- Suddenly spots the trembling fawn.
- Fawn doesn’t run away – just looks at Jody.
Bonding Moment
A tender connection forms as Jody gently interacts with the fawn, recognizing its vulnerability and confirming its gender through its distinctive spots.
- Jody gently touches the fawn’s neck.
- The baby deer smells Jody’s hands.
- Jody carries the weak fawn carefully.
- Determines it’s a male fawn by its spots.
Bringing Fawn Home
Jody’s journey home with the fawn is both physically and emotionally challenging, as he balances carrying and guiding the delicate creature.
- Carries fawn through the forest.
- Fawn sometimes walks beside him.
- Struggles to open gate while holding fawn.
- Finally reaches home with his new friend.
Introducing the Fawn
Jody proudly presents the fawn to his family, earning approval from his recovering father and beginning the process of integrating it into their home.
- Shows the fawn to his recovering father.
- Penny approves and praises Jody.
- Takes fawn to kitchen to feed it.
- Fawn wobbles cutely behind Jody.
First Feeding
The fawn’s first feeding marks a joyful milestone, as Jody creatively ensures its nourishment, deepening their bond.
- Prepares milk in a small gourd.
- Lets fawn suck milk from his fingers.
- Fawn drinks eagerly, stamping its tiny hooves.
- Jody feels happy seeing the fawn fed.
Lessons Learned
The story imparts valuable lessons about compassion, responsibility, and the ethical choices that shape personal growth and human-animal relationships.
- Shows responsibility towards animals.
- Teaches compassion and care.
- Demonstrates moral duty to help others.
- Highlights human-animal bonds.
- Story about growing up and making ethical choices.
Questions
- What had happened to Jody’s father?
- Answer: Penny was bitten by a rattlesnake. Bite was dangerous, life-threatening. Survived using doe’s remedy.
- How did the doe save Penny’s life?
- Answer: Penny killed the doe. Used its heart, liver for remedy. Remedy drew out snake poison.
- Why does Jody want to bring the fawn home?
- Answer: Feels fawn is hungry, scared. Thinks it’s wrong to let it starve. Wants to raise it responsibly.
- How does Jody know that the fawn is a male?
- Answer: Spots are in a line. Doe-fawn spots are scattered. Penny taught him this difference.
- Jody didn’t want Mill-wheel with him for two reasons. What were they?
- Answer: Feared fawn was dead or lost. Wanted private, special meeting.
- Why was Mill-wheel afraid to leave Jody alone?
- Answer: Worried Jody might get lost. Feared snake might bite him. Thought scrub was dangerous.
- How did Jody bring the fawn back home?
- Answer: Carried it over arms. Let it follow when possible. Carried it again when tired.
- Jody was filled with emotion after he found the fawn. Can you find at least three words or phrases which show how he felt?
- Answer: Delirious with excitement. Shook with fawn’s stare. Ecstasy feeling its tongue.
- How did the deer drink milk from the gourd?
- Answer: Sucked Jody’s fingers in milk. Drank as fingers stayed in gourd. Snorted, stamped while drinking.
- Why didn’t the fawn follow Jody up the steps as he had thought it would?
- Answer: Fawn balked at steps. Was too weak to climb. Refused to follow up.
What You Have Learnt
The story underscores the importance of compassion, responsibility, and ethical decision-making, illustrating how caring for another creature fosters personal growth.
- Story Theme:
- Focuses on compassion and duty.
- Explores human-animal bonds.
- Highlights ethical choices.
- Shows growth through responsibility.
- Key Events:
- Penny’s snakebite, doe’s sacrifice.
- Jody’s search for the fawn.
- Bonding and feeding the fawn.
- Family’s support for Jody’s mission.
- Lessons:
- Care for those affected by your actions.
- Compassion strengthens character.
- Moral duty shapes decisions.
- Empathy builds meaningful connections.
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