Section 12, Chapters 43, 44 and 45 Summary

"Ben's Triumph"

When word reaches the animals in the barn that Ben is to be moved forward into the next grade, they all erupt into celebration. After a while, The Lady quiets them down, saying they all had "a hand, a wing, and a paw in this. It isn't just Ben, we've all passed!"

"Life in the Barn Continues"

One fall afternoon, a flock of ducks flies overhead. Gent and his children fly up to join them. The Lady tries to fly to them, but her clipped wings keep her grounded. For several days she is quiet and depressed, and the children and animals start to speak of her as though she's dying. One day, though, she rouses herself and tells them all, "Flying isn't everything. There's something to staying put where you're needed."

"The Last Warm Afternoon of...