Journal Entry #4

5

• Reuven's dad went to visit him at the hospital and he looks very sick. Reuven told him about Danny's visit and "Abba" told him that they should become friends and that he will have his eye examined on Friday and might be able to go home Friday as well.
• The next day, when Reuven woke up, there was a curtain around Mr. Savo's bed and Reuven was not able to see him and has no idea as to what's going on with him.
• Danny goes to visit and Mr. Savo's curtain is still closed. Therefore they both go to the hall and talk a lot. Danny tells him so many things that he's never told anyone before. They talk about school and the many books Danny reads per week. They are both enjoying each others companies.
• Then they both start talking about religion. Reuven tells Danny that it doesn't look like he wants to be a rabbi because he doesn't like God. Danny tells him that he doesn't really like God, but he has to be a rabbi because it's an inherited position even if he doesn't want to.
• While both Danny and Reuven are talking "Abba" comes and both Danny and "Abba" are staring at each other suspiciously. Then to find out that "Abba" is the one that has been recommending Danny all of the books he has been reading.
• It's already Friday and Reuven is anxious to finding out about his eye and going home. Reuven's eye is in good conditions he will go home now, but has to come back for check-up in ten days. He went to say bye to Mr. Savo and he told Reuven that he got his eye taken out he didn't say anything earlier because he didn't want Billy to get scared since he was getting surgery done.

4

• How nervous is Reuven about Friday (eye check)?
• What happened to Mr. Savo?
• Why are Danny and "Abba" acting so suspicious?
• When will Reuven get back to playing baseball?

3

• shabbat (78): a day to pray
• tefilling (80): leather cases containing Hebrew text
• fervently (82): feeling enthusiasm
• brooding (84): painful memories
• tzaddik (86): Jewish spiritual leader

2

• "His cheeks were sunken, his eyes were red, and his face ashen" (78). Characterization.
• "True friends are like two bodies with one soul" (79). Simile.
• "The black patch that covered his eye looked like a huge skin mole" (81). Simile.

1

• Reuven is now out of the hospital, but found out new things before leaving. To his surprise, his dad already knew Danny and his eye is good. "No one knows he is fortunate until he becomes unfortunate" (78).