Chapter 1

Hello I'm Gene. I went to Dover School in New Hampshire around 15 years ago. As i was around town, the school has been looking a lot newer than it looked when i went. I decided to go back and take a walk around the school just to see what was different. I walked in the school and its still a very calm, clean place. Although it might be to clean for my liking. "I didn't entirely like the glossy new surface, because it made the school look like a museum" (1). I decided to walk around and go to two places that remind me of fear. I walk to the staircase and realize how strong the stairs are. After 15 years of stomping on them by so many different people they are still in such good shape. After the stairs I wanted to go see a tree that also gives me fear. On my way to he tree i passed some dormitories i remember and the gymnasium. I get to the river and look for one certain tree. I know which tree it is because of the number of scars on it and by the one branch that sticks over the river. "Finally identified the tree i was looking for by means of certain small scars rising along its trunk, and by the limb extending over the river, and another thinner limb growing near it" (5).

Finny jumped off the tree first to show everyone that its easy and fun. I get pressures into jumping off but i tell people i did it out of my own will to feel more tough. "I never backed away from anything in my life!" (10). Me and Finny keep wrestling so we end up missing dinner. We went back to our dorms and started our homework.