Apron the Cow

The birthing cow sets up the reader's understanding of Robert's character and the important receipt of Pinky the pig as a pet. Although Apron is brutal, Robert continues to help her.

Pinky's Corncrib Home

Pinky's little home shows Robert and his father's dedication to doing things right. It takes a lot of labor and preparation to set it up, but the two stick to it until it's done. Because Robert loves his pet so much, he sometimes sleeps with her out in the corncrib home.

The Pecks' Home

Most of this story takes place on the Pecks' farm, which is small and efficient but not altogether predictable nor productive. The Pecks are members of the Shaker religion but it is not a communal undertaking, so the Pecks must rely on the farm. When Robert doesn't correctly smoke the trees to eliminate caterpillars, the whole family...