48 pages • 1 hour read
Ralph MoodyFather and I Were Ranchers
Ralph MoodyNonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Middle Grade | Published in 1950A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 13-18Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 13 Summary: “We Go to an Auction”
Ralph and his parents attend a cattle auction in search of a good milk cow. Ralph’s mother emphasizes the importance of finding a Jersey cow with a heifer calf, known for its rich milk. While Ralph and his father examine the livestock with Fred Aultland, Ralph’s mother looks for household bargains. The auction is fast-paced, and Ralph becomes captivated by the camaraderie among the ranchers. Mrs. Corcoran tries to outbid Ralph’s father for a Holstein cow. However, thanks to Fred’s secret bribe to the auctioneer, the family secures two cows for below market value, including the Jersey that Ralph’s mother wanted.
Chapter 14 Summary: “The Irrigation Fight”
The Moody family faces a crisis when the ranch’s irrigation system fails, jeopardizing their crops and raising concerns about the dropping water levels. Amid this crisis, Ralph learns of an ongoing feud over water rights among their neighbors.
In response, Ralph’s father convenes a meeting with local ranchers, aiming for a peaceful resolution. He proposes to negotiate a compromise between the upstream and downstream ranchers, suggesting that all parties settle for 80 percent of their usual water allocation. The meeting becomes heated, with ranchers shouting and accusing each other of unfair practices. Amid the chaos, Ralph observes how his father remains calm, striving for compromise rather than conflict. Eventually, the ranchers agree to Ralph’s father’s proposal, effectively ending the year’s water disputes. The Moodys receive sufficient water, and Ralph admires his father’s integrity and strategic thinking.
Chapter 15 Summary: “I Give Mr. Lake a Ride”
Ralph reflects on a tough summer filled with hard work and little enjoyment. Herding Mrs. Corcoran’s cows becomes increasingly difficult as the pastures dry up, and she blames Ralph for bringing them in too early despite his insistence that Fred Aultland’s grazing rules are to blame.
When school resumes in October, Ralph struggles with Miss Wheeler, who grows frustrated with his spelling mistakes. His frustration culminates when Mr. Lake, the school board chairman, quizzes Ralph on geography. Mr. Lake is known for riding a stubborn white mule, and Ralph devises a plan to play a trick on him.
During recess, Ralph places a burdock burr under Mr. Lake’s saddle. When Mr. Lake mounts the mule, the burr causes it to buck wildly, throwing him off and creating quite a scene. While the prank amuses the other children, Ralph feels guilty when his father finds out.
Chapter 16 Summary: “A Good Month, with No School”
School closes for October due to Freddie Sprague contracting mumps. The month begins sadly with the death of Bill, one of the family’s horses, which deeply affects both Ralph and his father. To fill the void, Ralph’s father buys a new colt, and Ralph eagerly helps break it in.
With no school, Ralph and his father focus on ranch work—hauling fence posts, managing the colt, and completing various chores. Ralph is determined to prove himself and feels a stronger bond with his father as they work together. Under his father’s guidance, he gains confidence in using the scraper and handling the horses. Although he faces moments of fear, Ralph grows braver with his father’s support.
Meanwhile, the family prepares for winter, with Ralph’s mother preserving food and making sausage. By the end of the month, Ralph feels proud of their accomplishments and the transformation of the ranch through their hard work.
Chapter 17 Summary: “I Meet the Sheriff”
Ralph’s father allows him to buy a steel trap. One day, he sets it near the corral for prairie dogs but accidentally catches an illegal pheasant. Fearing the consequences, Ralph hides the bird and lies about it. Guilt weighs heavily on him, and he eventually admits his lie. His father insists that Ralph must report himself to the sheriff, teaching him a lesson about accountability, even when it’s difficult.
The next day, Ralph rides alone to Fort Logan. At the saloon, he confesses to the sheriff, who is amused by Ralph’s honesty. The sheriff returns the pheasant, advises him not to repeat the mistake, and offers him a drink, which Ralph declines. When Ralph returns home, his father commends him for facing the consequences of his actions.
Chapter 18 Summary: “Father and I Become Partners”
One day, craving chocolate, Ralph sneaks a bar from the pantry, intending to take just a small piece. However, he succumbs to temptation and steals the entire bar. As he tries to cut the chocolate, his father catches him.
Feeling ashamed, Ralph is surprised when his father chooses a conversation over punishment. He explains that he doesn’t want a “sneaky partner,” emphasizing the importance of honesty and trust in both family and business. Moved by his father’s words, Ralph promises to be honest, and they shake hands.
Chapters 13-18 Analysis
The Dynamics of Community in Rural Settings remains a central theme in these chapters. For instance, in Chapter 13, the Moodys attend a cattle auction. The auction serves as a microcosm of ranch life, where camaraderie and rivalry coexist among the ranchers. Fred Aultland’s secret bribe to the auctioneer reveals the cutthroat nature of farm economics, emphasizing that survival and prosperity depend on both initiative and competition, even within a community. This competitive tension continues in Chapter 14, where Charles, Ralph’s father, negotiates a compromise to resolve a water rights feud among rival ranchers. His diplomatic efforts demonstrate the critical need for cooperation, emphasizing the theme of community reliance, where collective action ensures mutual survival. In this agricultural context, shared resources like water demand negotiation and a commitment to the well-being of the group reinforce the idea that prosperity is often dependent on a cohesive, functioning community.
At the same time, Ralph’s father’s approach to this irrigation fight reflects the theme of The Importance of Self-Reliance and Integrity, particularly through his ability to independently mediate a resolution. His calm yet firm demeanor during heated arguments reflects a strong sense of personal responsibility and problem-solving, hallmarks of self-reliance. This self-assuredness becomes a model for Ralph, who witnesses how one’s integrity and commitment to fairness can drive community change. By striving to balance his family’s interests with the broader needs of the ranchers, Ralph’s father exemplifies how self-reliance does not operate in isolation but rather within the context of broader societal obligations. His commitment to transparency and fair water distribution underscores the moral principles guiding his actions. For Ralph, this experience is a pivotal lesson in moral leadership, revealing that true integrity extends beyond personal ethics to encompass broader social responsibility.
Similarly, in Chapter 17, Ralph is confronted with a moral dilemma when he accidentally traps an illegal pheasant and lies about it. His father insists he takes responsibility, prompting Ralph to confess to the sheriff. The sheriff’s response, returning the pheasant and commending Ralph for his honesty, reinforces his moral growth, offering him a salient lesson about facing consequences. This instance reflects Ralph’s growing character, emphasizing personal accountability and honesty. In Chapter 18, the author further explores Ralph’s evolving partnership with his father, rooted in trust, through an incident involving a stolen chocolate bar. Instead of punishment, Ralph’s father emphasizes honesty and describes their relationship as a “partnership.” The handshake that seals this promise symbolizes Ralph’s initiation into a new phase of maturity, where trust becomes the foundation of familial bonds.
The Impact of the Environment on Character Development on Ralph and his family is also central in these chapters. In Chapter 14, the failing irrigation system demonstrates how the natural world often dictates human behavior, requiring adaptability to sustain essential resources. In Chapter 16, with school temporarily closed, Ralph takes on physically demanding tasks like hauling fence posts and breaking in a colt. The rugged work environment builds his confidence, resilience, and practical skills. As he faces daily challenges, Ralph becomes more attuned to the demands of ranch life, deepening his connection to the land. In Chapter 13, the death of Bill, the family’s horse, followed by the breaking in of a new colt, emphasizes the cycle of loss and renewal that defines ranch life. Throughout these chapters, the environment acts as both a challenge and a teacher, driving Ralph’s growth and shaping the family’s survival strategies amid a harsh environment.
Unlock all 48 pages of this Study GuidePlus, gain access to 9,150+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features: