Chapter 20 Summary

In spring the Colman family happily leaves the Ozarks and moves to town, but not before Billy is given a chance to bid farewell to his hounds. At their gravesite he is astounded to find a lovely red fern, having grown up between their graves and cascading beautiful, graceful leaves over each of them. He recalls the Indian legend of the red fern, planted by an angel where a small boy and girl have died, and he summons his family to see the wonder. Papa suggests that this might be God's way of helping Billy understand and accept the loss of his dogs, and Billy agrees that the weight of awful pain has been lifted. The family members return to the wagon to give Billy time to be alone with his dogs, and Papa murmurs, "Wonderful indeed is the work of our Lord...