Where the Red Fern Grows

Take me back like a child to see

Faces lost in the memories

If I could only go back again

Stop it. Come on, get out of there.

Stop it.

Hey, hey!

Get outta here. Get.

Hey, fella.

How you doing?

He hurt you there?

Oh, good dog.

That's a good boy.

That's a good dog.

It felt like forever|since I'd held a dog in my arms.

No creature could live in my heart|like those dogs of mine so long ago.

This place is far away|from the wilderness I came from.

Forever. and a thousand miles away.

Here you go, boy.

I was a little boy growing up|deep in the Ozark mountains.

with my mom and dad|and my two little sisters.

and woods in all directions.|as far as the eye could see.

My ma was part Cherokee,.

and there was a legend in those parts|that a little Indian boy and girl

got lost in a blizzard and died.

When they found them in the spring,

a beautiful red fern|had grown up between them.

And that spot was sacred forever.

- Howdy.|- Howdy.

- Morning.|- What can I do for you?

- You Will Coleman?|- That's right.

Well, this is Hud Bellington,|and I'm Ben Kyle.

Good to meet you.|That's my wife, Jenny.

- Howdy, ma'am.|- Howdy.

And my daughter, Sarah.

Alice, hiding behind the post.|And there's my son, Billy.

We're up from Tulsa.

Oh, really?|We got some kinfolk up there.

We know that. Your uncle Fred's|the one that sent us out here.

Says you got the finest|coon-hunting in the Ozarks.

How about that? You hear that, Jenny?|Uncle Fred sent 'em down here.

How's he doing?

Feed and grain business|doing right good.

Says he wants to sell,|move back East.

Yeah, we heard about that.|We were hoping to...

Hoping to make him an offer sometime.

Boy, that sure would be|a fine thing for a family like yours.

'Course, it'd be mighty tough|giving up country like this, too.

- You'll stay for supper?|- Why, that's mighty kind of you, ma'am.

Well, if we're going|to get any hunting done,

we're going to|have to set up camp before dark.

That is, of course,|if we have your permission.

Oh, that'd be fine.

There's a nice spot|just down the river,

called Dripping Springs.

Well, this road'll take you right to it.

With hounds like these,|you're bound to tree a few.

Well, they're the best|in Mr. Bellington's kennel.

They're sure fine ones, mister.

- They're champions.|- Yep.

Won the coon-hunting competition|three years running.

Is that right?

Hey, you got any hounds|of your own, son?

Well, ain't that a shame?|All this fine hunting...

It's getting late, Kyle.|Maybe we ought to go.

Sure thing, Mr. Bellington.|It's mighty nice meeting you folks.

Yeah, y'all take care, now.

I'm out back, son.

Thank you, Billy.

I was down at Grandpa's|store yesterday, and he said

that old man Stanton's|collie's about to have pups.

- And I'm sure he'd be glad to-|- Pa?

I don't want no collie.

I want hunting dogs.

I know what you want, son.|But hunting dogs cost money.

Right now there's a bluetick pup outside|Grandpa's store. It's going for $35.

Can I go see him?

Did you hear what I said, boy?|I said $35.

Can I at least go look at him?|Please, Poppa?

- Did you finish stacking that cordwood?|- Yes, sir.

Well, I guess it won't hurt nothing.

Be back by noon. You gotta|fix that fence down by the south end.

OK.

Every town has its characters.|and every boy has his nemesis.

Mine was the Pritchards.

We didn't have no train|running through our neck of the woods.

and no train tracks. neither.

But if we did. the Pritchards would|definitely be on the other side of 'em.

I don't know. $35 is a lot|to pay for a dog like that.

- He ain't worth more than 20, Pa.|- Hey, Billy. How you doing?

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