A Day's Wait by Ernest Hemingway

                                                  A Day's Wait by Ernest Hemingway

Introduction: Ernest Hemingway's Writing Style

Ernest Hemingway was a famous American writer. He wrote in a very special way. His sentences are short and simple. He does not use many big words or fancy descriptions. He writes the way people really talk. Hemingway believed that a good story is like an iceberg. We only see a small part on top of the water. But there is much more hidden underneath. This means his stories seem simple, but they have deep meanings.

Introduction to "A Day's Wait"

"A Day's Wait" is a short story written by Ernest Hemingway in 1933. The story is about a nine-year-old boy who gets sick with a fever. The doctor says his temperature is 102 degrees. But the boy thinks he is going to die.

The whole day, the brave little boy waits quietly for death to come. His father does not understand why his son is acting so strange. Finally, the father discovers the mistake and explains the truth to his son.

A Brave Boy Facing Death

The most important theme in this story is courage. The boy believes that he will die, but he does not cry or complain. He tries to be very brave. He even tells his father:

"You don't have to stay in here with me, Papa, if it bothers you."

This shows that the boy wants to protect his father. He does not want his father to be sad watching him die.

The boy lies very still in bed. His father says he was "holding tight onto himself about something." This means the boy is trying very hard to control his fear.  He shows the kind of courage that Hemingway admired—staying calm and strong even when you are afraid. For a whole day, this nine-year-old boy waits for death with quiet bravery.

The Father Does Not Understand

Another important part of the story is the problem between the father and son. They do not understand each other. The father sees that his son is acting strangely, but he thinks it is just because of the fever. He does not ask the right questions. He even goes outside to hunt while his son is lying in bed, thinking he will die.

The father tries to make his son feel better. He says, "You'll be all right." But these words do not help because the father does not know what is really wrong. This shows us that sometimes we cannot help the people we love if we do not understand their real problem. We need to listen carefully and ask questions.

The Truth Comes Out

The most important moment in the story happens when the father finally learns why his son is so scared. The boy asks:

"About what time do you think I'm going to die?"

Now the father understands the problem. He explains to his son:

"You poor Schatz. It's like miles and kilometers. You aren't going to die. That's a different thermometer. On that thermometer thirty-seven is normal. On this kind it's ninety-eight."

This simple explanation changes everything. The boy is not going to die! He was confused about Fahrenheit and Celsius. These are two different ways to measure temperature, just like miles and kilometres are different ways to measure distance. A temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit is not dangerous. It is just a regular fever.

But the story does not end happily right away. The next day, Schatz "cried very easily at little things that were of no importance." After being so brave for a whole day, the boy became very emotional. All his fear came out in tears. This is natural. When we hold in our feelings for a long time, they have to come out sometime.

What the Story Teaches Us

"A Day's Wait" teaches us several important lessons.  It shows us that                                                     

• Courage means staying calm when we are afraid.
• How important good communication is.
• Adults need to explain things clearly and check that children really understand.

·       We should pay attention to the people we love. The father in the story loved his son, but he did not notice how scared the boy was until it was almost too late. We should watch for signs that someone needs help and ask them what is wrong.

Conclusion

"A Day's Wait" is a powerful story told in simple words. Ernest Hemingway shows us a boy's courage, a father's love, and a dangerous misunderstanding. The story reminds us that big feelings and important ideas do not need fancy language. Sometimes the simplest words tell the strongest stories. Through this short story, we learn about bravery, fear, and the importance of clear communication.