Alby’s Deer

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When we all moved in together, Mum said Amelia was too old I carried on through this field to the stile on the far side. I
to share with me so I was in with Finn instead. Amelia had stopped for a moment and looked over my shoulder, knowing
to bunk in with Kayla, my stepsister. We were all bundled that this was as far as I was allowed to go. It was like
together in the same house but it didn’t quite feel like we were entering No Man’s Land in the war. From there, you could still
properly connected. just about see the houses on our estate. No one was around
and the cool air was completely still.

Was Alby right to disobey his mum’s instructions?

What do you think Alby means by ‘it didn’t quite feel Why or why not?
like we were properly connected.’?
Why do you think Alby feels more at home in nature
How do you feel when you share with others? than inside his house with his family?
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I turned to leave, to pretend I was never even there. No one Feeling that sandpaper scratching in my throat again, I looked
would know. Yet as soon as I’d turned my back, I pictured the away. At the same time, I took a chance and slowly reached
deer somewhere in those woods. I didn’t mean for it to happen out my hand. Lowering it carefully, I placed it ever so lightly
but it did. If I hadn’t tried to sneak up on the herd as they on one of her front legs. At first, she flinched but then she
were minding their own business, they wouldn’t have turned let my hand rest there. Every other feeling I had was
to run. They wouldn’t have leapt out into the road. That poor washed away.
creature wouldn’t have been hit by the car. It was my fault.
I turned to her and smiled, “I’ll look after you. I promise.”

Alby regrets chasing after the deer. Have you ever Deanna is a wild animal. Do you think Alby should
regretted doing something or ever wished you had help her or leave her alone? Why could helping her
made a different decision? be a bad idea?
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I’d wanted to tell them about Deanna – even though I I’m not sure how much she realised it but she cheered me up
risked getting into trouble – but instead, I just got angry. At when I was sad. She calmed me down when I was angry. She
least Mum hadn’t spotted the ripped T-shirt yet. I was still was just there when I needed a friend. I know that sounds
breathing like a charging bull as I stomped down the garden strange, given that she was a deer and couldn’t talk. There
path. It was always ‘Share this, Alby.’ or ‘Don’t touch that was something better than talking, though. Just hanging
Alby.’ and ‘No, we can’t afford a pet, Alby.’ Well, I decided, out together.
none of them were going to know. I would help Deanna myself
and she would be my secret.

Do you think it’s possible to have an animal as a

Why do you think Alby is angry at his family? friend? Why or why not?

Do you think Alby should keep Deanna a secret from What makes a good friend? In what ways is Deanna
his family? Why or why not? a good friend to Alby?
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“But I heard Dad say this week that if he hadn’t taken this job, For a moment, out in the woods, Finn and I stood there looking
we wouldn’t be able to pay the bills. Your mum said we had no at each other. Until then, no one knew where I had been going.
money left for the food shop.” No one knew about Deanna. My mind whirled with thoughts
of what to say to Finn, if I could trust him and what he might
“Can’t he just get a different job?” I said. Even as I said the
say to my mum or his dad.
words, I knew it wasn’t that easy. I knew Denton had tried to
get lots of jobs and I knew what Mum had said about the food
shop. She’d said it several times over a few weeks and there
was hardly anything in the cupboards to eat. I just didn’t
want Denton to do this job.

How do you think Alby feels about sharing Deanna

with Finn?

Do you think Denton should have to find another job? How could someone’s actions change how you feel
Give reasons for your answer. about them?
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“That’s not fair,” I said, feeling suddenly protective of Finn. I got quicker and louder. I shouted and kept shooing them
“He’s only worried about the right things. We should all be away. They weren’t safe if they were this close. I had to make
looking after nature and taking care of the environment and them all go farther into whatever fields or woods lay beyond.
stuff, you know.”
Now, I was deliberately chasing away Deanna and the whole
“Huh! The last thing I need is a lecture about the environment herd. It was just how this whole thing started. They must have
from you two, thanks very much. How about us lookin’ after hated me: the kid who chased them twice.
ourselves, ‘cos no one else is gonna do it?” The tone of Denton’s
As I ran and cried, I told myself that I was doing it for the
voice had changed with his mood and I could tell he was
right reasons. I was protecting them, even if they didn’t know
beginning to lose his temper. I turned to Mum and pleaded to
it. I hoped that maybe they would realise. If not now, then at
her with my eyes.
some point. I ran and ran until I was out of breath and they
were out of sight.

Do you agree with Alby or Denton’s point of view?

Do you think Alby made the right decision to chase
Which do you think is more important: looking
the deer away? Why or why not?
after people or looking after the environment? Give
reasons for your answer. Is it ever OK to break the rules for the right reasons?
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