Short Stories

Bearing Up- Sleeping Dreams
The short story Bearing Up by Matt Hughes is about a boy named Mike, who ever since he was a young child, is having dreams about various animals chasing him. By the time he is 15 years old he is still having these dreams but it is always a bear chasing him. As the story progresses you learn that Mike's father works for the Canadian forces flying squadrons and jet trainers, rescuing people who are in trouble. It is a very dangerous job, and although Mike doesn't like to admit it, he gets scared when his father goes on missions. This story shows how the things going on in your life can take on a different form and be represented in your dreams. In Mike's case the bear chasing him represented his fear for his father's life. By the end of the story Mike's father gets in alot of trouble stranded by himself, in a near death experience. Finally, to Mike's relief, his father comes home safe and sound. Mike never had another dream about the bear ever again.

The First Day- Hopes and Dreams
The story The First Day by Edward P. Jones is about a single mother who is poor and illiterate. Her whole life she has gone to church with her young daughter and would point to the school across the street and tell her daughter that is where she would go to learn. Finally, that day came but, they were told by the stuck up Secretary she couldn't go to that school because they didn't live in the right area of town. Her mother's dreams got slightly shut down, but she still did not give up. The mother took her daughter to the 'right' school and enrolled her there, even though she wanted her at the other school. All the mother's life she wanted her daughter to have a good education and unlike her, learn to read and write. Her mother didn't give up on that dream and stayed strong even when she was shut down, and that dream still came true. This story gave the reader hope, and taught that dreams are vital to goals coming true.