A Day’s Wait by Ernest Hemingway Summary
A Day’s Wait is a short story by Ernest Hemingway that explores the theme of a child’s coming-of-age. The story is narrated by a young boy who is waiting for his father to take him to the hospital after he has fallen and cut his knee. The boy is anxious and worried, as he is not sure if his father will take him seriously or if he will be able to get the medical attention he needs. The story is a poignant look at the innocence of childhood and the fear of the unknown.
The story begins with the boy waking up to find his knee bleeding. He is scared and runs to his father, who is sleeping. The father, a man of few words, tells the boy to go back to bed and not to worry. The boy, however, is unable to sleep and spends the night worrying about his injury.
The next morning, the father takes the boy to the hospital, but the doctor tells them that the cut is not serious and that the boy does not need to be admitted. The father, still not convinced, takes the boy to another doctor, who also tells them that the injury is not serious. The boy is relieved, but he is also confused and upset that his father did not take him seriously at first.
The story ends with the boy realizing that his father was not being unkind, but rather trying to teach him to be strong and to face his fears. The boy learns that sometimes, the best way to deal with a problem is to face it head-on, rather than to run away from it.
A Day’s Wait is a powerful story that captures the essence of childhood and the challenges that come with growing up. Hemingway’s use of simple, straightforward language and his focus on the boy’s perspective make the story both relatable and poignant. The story serves as a reminder that even in the face of fear and uncertainty, it is important to be brave and to face the world with courage.
