53. Bompie and his Father. Cody writes an entry about another Bompie story Sophie tells—she mentioned it after Cody asked if Bompie’s father ever felt sorry for whipping him. This story is unique, because it doesn’t involve Bompie falling in the water. When Bompie’s father was old and very ill, Bompie went to visit him. He sat by his father’s bed, every day, for three weeks. For the first two weeks, Bompie was angry at his father; during the second week, he kept reminding his father of all the times his father had whipped him. When the third week came, however, Bompie looked at his father, felt his forehead and cheeks, and must have finally realized how sick he really was. When Bompie came back the next day, he brought his father an apple, and they both cried.
Here, we encounter a special story about Bompie—no water is involved. Instead, it’s a touching story about how Bompie reconciles with his dying father. While Bompie’s mother always seemed to just be grateful that he stayed alive—that he survived his dangerous encounters with water—his father always wanted to make sure he was harshly punished. Yet Bompie, after a few weeks, softens towards his father. Realizing that his father’s end is near, Bompie puts aside his anger and, as a sign of love, giveshimfood.