THE PUZZLING “DOS” AND “DON’TS”

Chapter VIII of “Just David” titled “The Puzzling ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts'” introduces David to a new way of life filled with rules that often contradict his natural inclinations towards beauty and freedom. David finds himself navigating a world where productive tasks are mandatory (“dos”), such as hoeing corn, pulling weeds, and filling woodboxes, while his pleasures like lying under apple trees, exploring the brook, or observing insects are frowned upon (“don’ts”).

Farmer Holly, on his part, experiences challenges in aligning David’s free spirit with the farm’s daily demands. Despite these struggles, David earnestly attempts to comply, earning time for leisure by the day’s end. During his time off, without his violin due to the threat of rain, David encounters a bound crow in a cornfield. Recognizing the crow’s distress, he decides to free it, facing resistance from the crow until he manages to cut the tether with his knife. This act of kindness reflects David’s deep empathy towards all living beings, contrasting sharply with the locals’ indifference or hostility towards wildlife.

The narrative then shifts to David’s interaction with Perry Larson, a farmhand, who is dismayed by David’s freeing of the crow, a creature he had painstakingly captured to ward off pests from the corn. Perry’s frustration reveals a stark difference in perspective between him and David, who cannot comprehend causing distress to another creature for such purposes.

Upon David’s return to the farmhouse, his actions are met with disapproval, showcasing the gap between his values and those of his current guardians. Despite the misunderstanding and inadvertent trouble David causes, his inherent kindness and purity of heart stand unwavering.

David’s encounter with two boys who boast about killing animals for sport further deepens his sense of alienation from the community’s practices and values. His inability to understand their lack of empathy towards wildlife leads to a confrontation that ends with the boys leaving in fear of David’s unconventional views on life and death.

Throughout the chapter, David grapples with the harsh realities of a world that often values productivity and human convenience over the inherent beauty and freedom of nature. His experiences underscore a fundamental clash between his upbringing and the new environment he must navigate.