Nine-year-old Tom is sitting in his room, about to start building a new model airplane, when his mother interrupts him to announce that she and his father are going on a cycling trip to Europe, so Tom will be spending the summer at Aunt Millie’s farm. Tom is not excited about this prospect and argues, telling his mother that he knows he’ll hate it, the same way that he knows he hates camp and figs. He bolsters his argument by reminding her that animals hate. Tom’s mother is upset and tries unsuccessfully to persuade him by describing all the fun he’ll have on the farm. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for Tom’s parents, which Tom knows, so his mom finally asks him “Don’t you want your father and me to have this trip?” (5). Tom says he does but argues that he can stay home alone. Frustrated, Tom’s mother leaves his room in tears. Later, Tom’s father talks to Tom, telling him about the wonderful pond on the farm and explaining the positive personal growth that can happen on farms, but Tom replies, “I like myself the way I am” (7). Tom’s father grows frustrated and reminds Tom about all the sacrifices his mother has made for him.