Read story and be prepared to do a comprehension exercise next week.
Alone he sat as the wind brushed against the roof of the balcony where they stood. He had gone too far this time. What would his father and the others think of him now? How would he ever gain the respect and trust? This vacation was meant to be a bonding experience – a time when the men of the family would welcome the younger boys into the club of manhood. He was now thirteen and that meant that he was now a man. But here he sat alone in the cold of the wind wondering why time and time again he messed up; time after time he gave his father cause to be disappointed in him.
Three days ago he left Charlotte North Carolina for this camping trip. He did not want to go but there was no way he would get out of that one. The trip was not only about him but his father too. The family which was made up of seven sons and three daughters had done this as a tradition. His father was the youngest of the boys and had the youngest son, Ryan. So every year he participated as a bystander while his brothers stood with pride watching their sons become men. He had longed for that day - and for thirteen years had been planning every detail of the experience. But Ryan was not very excited. He did not understand what all the fuss was about. He was supposed to be a man but inside he felt like a boy.
They left their homes that morning with Ryan pouting all the way. Father did not mind much as he was excited enough for the both of them. Soon they were at the camp and met up with most of the men of the family who was thirteen and older. The games, the food, the stories began and everyone was having a good time except Ryan.
Now, Ryan was a very adventurous boy. He especially enjoyed getting into trouble with everyone around him. But being a man now everyone expected him to behave as such. As the laughs, the food and the stories continued Ryan wondered away into the woods trying to find some way to entertain his idle mind. He could not relate to anything that was happening and there were no boys his age there. He was bored out of his mind.
Behind the cabin where the camp was held there was a small foot path leading to the river. Ryan followed the path and before long he was standing o the river banks. He felt the water with his hands. It was cool and refreshing unlike any water he had felt before. The water was so enticing that Ryan decided to stand in the River for a little while, and then he removed his shirt and decided to wade in the water. He was having a ball and no one even missed him. He thought to himself that he should probably get back to the cabin but he soon changed his mind as he discovered a raft tied to a tree on the banks of the river. With a smile on his face he decided to have some fun and raft his way just a little way down the river.
It was exhilarating! The water below him, the cool breeze all around him made for the perfect adventure. He never knew he could have that much fun on his own. For a moment he forgot about his friends back at home and how miserable he was at that camp. He forgot that this was his initiation into manhood all he was and wanted to be was a thirteen year old boy having fun on the river. As the raft moved slowly down the river Ryan thought that this was the best feeling that he has had n his life.
He had not gone far down the river when he heard loud rumbling sounds and the raft began to move faster and faster. At first he was enjoying it. He found it to be exciting and thrilling. But before long the raft started move much faster than he could control it and the noises got louder and louder. The water beneath him began to foam mad huge rocks appeared hitting the raft from side to side. Ryan was afraid! He though he was going to die. He started shouting help, help, just before the raft toppled over and he capsized into the water. He began drifting closer and closer to the rumbling sound he could hear in the distance down the cold, foaming river. Shivering and scared he screamed with all his energy for someone to help him.
The shouts of his cries echoed through the woods and made its way to where the men had gathered. Wait! His father shouted. Where is Ryan? And as the camp grew quiet his cries for help got louder and louder. His father, uncles and cousins began running towards the sound of his voice. His father shouted, “I am coming Ryan” and pelted down the hill with all his might towards the river. But soon the cries for help ceased.
“Ryan, Ryan, Ryan” dad shouted, but there was no answer. “Down the river bank” one man shouted and the men all galloped down the river in search for Ryan. In a few minutes they found him wrapped up around a log that was hanging across the river. His eyes shut his body cold and blood oozing from his nose.
Quick they got him to dry land and gave him warm clothes. “Ryan, Ryan, Ryan” his dad shouted as Ryan opened his eyes. E looked into his father’s eyes and saw terror, fear and deep love. His father embraced him and held him so close that he felt his father’s warmth.
Ryan was tired and could hardly speak. He was carried back to the cabin and given warm clothes and hot tea. His leg was hurt so he could not move much. All he could do was sit and think what pain he caused his father. He wept bitterly when he realized he now had to take care of himself because he never wanted to hurt his family like that again.
As the tears streamed down his face he limped his way to the living room where all the men had gathered. “I am so sorry” he said. “I never wanted to scare you this way.” I am not ready to be a man.” As he looked into his father’s eyes he embraced him and said, “Father, I will never do anything like that again.” His father looked t him with tears in his eyes as well and said, “Son I think tonight you became a man.”
Ryan sat alone on the balcony two days later. Everyone was packed and ready to go back to the city. So much had happened in the time that he was there. He felt different more like a man now. He had grown so much in free days – not because he was initiated into manhood but because he realized how much his father loved him and he never wanted to scare or hurt him. Ryan shook his head as he though how differently this could have all ended. Ryan definitely learned his lesson.
Story Created as a Collaboration of six sixth graders..
