• Chapter

      SECRETS

      SECRETS Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter XV of "Just David," titled "Secrets," David is eager to share his experiences from his second visit to Sunnycrest with Jack and Jill. However, upon arrival, he finds only Jill at home. Their interaction is less awkward this time, and they converse freely in the open outdoors. David is disappointed that Jack is not there, as he especially wanted to see him. Jill explains Jack's absence by saying he's "gone pot-boiling," a metaphor for Jack selling garden produce to make ends meet, despite his…
    • THE TOWER WINDOW Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter XIV of "Just David," entitled "The Tower Window," David's unwavering curiosity and innocence lead him to venture once again into the domain of his Lady of the Roses. Setting out with his violin, he is initially disappointed not to find her in the garden but is drawn to the majestic house by the allure of unfamiliar music and the architectural beauty he has long admired from afar. Upon entering the house, David is entranced by the opulence and novel surroundings he encounters—a stark contrast…
    • A SURPRISE FOR MR. JACK Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XIII of "Just David," titled "A Surprise for Mr. Jack," unfolds a poignant narrative embedding the transformative influence of a young boy, David, on the villagers and particularly on the lives at the Holly farmhouse. The chapter reveals how David, with his unique perspective on life and nature, gradually changes the worldview of the pragmatic Simeon Holly and his wife, Ellen. David's peculiar behaviors—his preference for sunsets over supper, flowers over toy pistols, and his compassionate…
    • ANSWERS THAT DID NOT ANSWER Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XII of "Just David" opens with David recounting to a man and a little girl, identified as Jack and Jill respectively, his encounter with a group of boys from which he emerged battered but victorious, thanks to his desire to rescue a cat. The siblings, living in a small house across the creek from Sunnycrest, provide care for David's injuries while trying to understand the courageous yet enigmatic boy who fought off six older boys to save an animal. Through their conversation, it is revealed that…
    • Chapter

      JACK AND JILL

      JACK AND JILL Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter, David encounters Miss Holbrook, the "Lady of the Roses," who expresses her deep sorrow, revealing her desire to forget her painful memories, leaving David stunned by her lack of joy. His attempt to comfort her through his violin only highlights the depth of her despair. Unable to soothe her, David leaves as Miss Holbrook abruptly dismisses the melancholic scene. Driven by restlessness, David explores the village further and stumbles upon a group of boys playing in a lot. Having had…
    • THE LADY OF THE ROSES Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter X of "Just David" entitled "The Lady of the Roses" showcases a significant development in the life of a young boy named David and his impact on the lives of those around him, especially Joe and his family. The chapter opens with David's transformative presence in Joe's life, bringing music, companionship, and food to alleviate the hardships of Joe's family. Joe's love for music, inherited from his father, resonates deeply with David, leading to a heartfelt sharing of David's violin, offering Joe a…
    • Chapter

      JOE

      JOE Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter IX of "Just David," titled "Joe," David continues to adapt to his new life away from his familiar, beloved home in the mountains, painfully aware of his father's absence and the new obligations set upon him by Farmer Holly. Despite diligently trying to meet expectations and work tasks, David feels a strong sense of disconnect and longing for meaningful engagement, something he only truly feels when exploring the world after his daily chores. David’s afternoons are rich with discovery, both in…
    • THE PUZZLING “DOS” AND “DON’TS” Cover
      by LovelyMay 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…
    • “YOU’RE WANTED–YOU’RE WANTED!” Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter VII of "Just David" unfolds over a tense and emotional weekend at the Hollies’ farmhouse, capturing the essence of misunderstanding, yearning for belonging, and the transformative power of music and compassion. David, experiencing his first days away from his father and the free, joyous life they led, confronts the harsh reality that he is unwanted by his current guardians, Simeon and Mrs. Holly. Overhearing a conversation between the couple about his uncertain future, David seeks solace in the…
    • NUISANCES, NECESSARY AND OTHERWISE Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter VI of "Just David" entitled "Nuisances, Necessary and Otherwise" revolves around David's adaptation to the rigid, structured life at the Hollies' farmhouse. It begins with David, a boy accustomed to the freedom and beauty of nature, offering to help Mrs. Holly with the dishes, a proposition she initially refuses due to his dirty hands. This encounter prompts David to question the value of housework, which Mrs. Holly defends as essential labor, unlike David's father, who deemed such chores…
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