The short story stray by Cynthia Rylant is about a girl named Doris who finds an abandoned dog on her way home. She takes pity on it and brings it with her. Her parents are surprised by the dog but they can’t do anything because of the snow. During this time period, the dog is a good dog and does what it’s told to do while only being fed table scraps. Doris keeps on trying to convince her parents to keep the dog but they still say no. Finally, the snow clears and the father says he has to take it to the pound because they are too poor to take care of it. The father leaves but soon after, he comes back and because of the terrible conditions at the pound, he brought the dog back. Doris is delighted that the dog is back. This story teaches us about the effects of poverty, kindness, and that pets have a powerful effect on people.
Living in poverty has a profound effect on people and how they go on with their daily lives. With limited financial resources, they will find the opportunities and options are narrowed significantly. In Stray, Doris’s family was poor so although Doris really wanted the dog, her parents wanted the dog, they all knew how obedient and nice it was, they couldn’t adopt it because of how poor they were. They couldn’t afford to feed it or give it a proper home. This causes them to have only one choice left, take it to the pound which everyone does not want to do but they must. Poverty makes it so that you only have very few options to choose from and things that you can do for others and for yourself. Poverty can also make you do things that you don’t want to do but it is the only choice. Lacking economic flexibility will reduce your life to just basic needs, you will not have the freedom of choices.
Kindness can prevail even during the darkest of times. People living in poverty can still be kind, you can care and treat others nicely during challenging times. Doris was living in poverty and she knew it but she still showed kindness to the dog that was in the cold and brought it home. Everyone wanted to keep it but they couldn’t because of poverty so finally, the father brings it to the pound. The father also is kind and brings the dog home after seeing the terrible place the pound was. Even not with enough money, Dory's Dad still felt sympathy for the dog. Kindness triumphed over poverty. Poverty brings sadness and leaves fewer choices but kindness can help you overcome this and become a better person even during times that may seem hopeless. Kindness can be shown no matter the situation and even if you are living in poverty, you can still choose to help others in small ways with compassion.
Pets have the remarkable ability to bring out the good in you even if you're hard and cruel at the start. They are cute and adorable, so this can motivate people to take care of them even if they are reluctant or the circumstances are difficult at first. Doris knew her family was poor but she still took pity on it and took it home. Even though the mother and father knew they were poor, they still let Doris take care of the dog and feed it some of the small amount of food they had. Once the snow finally cleared, Doris begged her parents to let her keep the pet but they still said no. The father brought the dog back because of the terrible living conditions at the pound although he could’ve just left it. Poor families can still help the little pets in small ways that will have a big effect on everyone. Pets can attract everyone who comes closer to them no matter the situation and trigger the kindness and softness in your heart.
The short story stray by Cynthia Rylant is a very inspiring book that teaches us about poverty, kindness, and the powerful effect pets have on people. Poverty will limit the choices a person can make in their lives. A lack of money will only support your basic needs which will leave no time for your dreams or other wishes. Although poverty can limit your options, kindness can help you feel better by helping others and also increase the amount of things you can do. Kindness helps you get past hard times and is stronger than poverty and it can still be part of your character if you try. Pets have a strong effect on people in that they look sweet and lovable so this motivates us to help it even if we are not fully capable of it. Although pets can still take some time getting used to if you can barely support it, it can boost your morale and help you in the long run. This book is a very touching and warm story that teaches us valuable lessons in our lives.
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