Ratmond's Run

595 Words3 Pages
"Raymond's Run" is a sensational story by Toni Cade Bambara featuring Hazel "Squeaky" Parker, a little African-American girl with skinny arms, a squeaky voice, and a passion to run. Known as Mercury by the big kids, Squeaky is the swiftest thing in the neighborhood. That is, except for her father, who can beat her to Amsterdam Avenue with Squeaky having a two-fire-hydrant head start and him running with his hands in his pockets and whistling. Squeaky has a brother named Raymond who's infected with a disease called hydrocephalus. Raymond is actually bigger and older than Squeaky, but a lot of people call him Squeaky's little brother because he needs looking after. Squeaky often takes strolls down Broadway so she can practice her breathing exercises while having to keep an eye on Raymond the whole time. She makes Raymond walk on the inside because he's subject to fits of fantasy and starts thinking he's a circus performer and that the curb is a tightrope strung high in the air. I really admire that. I mean, I have trouble keeping my own brother inside a room without doing anything else! The story described Squeaky as adamant, tough, loyal, proud, and determined. There are some qualities in which I am similar to her. For example, in the story Squeaky is always ready to fight and protect her brother. Even though I may quarrel over insignificant details with my little brother, he's always my number one priority whenever I leave the safe castle of home. I'm also proud of who I am and what I do. Whenever I'm really determined to do something, I would do whatever necessary to achieve it. On the other hand, I'm not nearly as tough or adamant as Squeaky is. The kinds of people I hate most are those who lag around dragging a group down. I don't really know anybody like Cynthia Procter, but I did, I probably would hate them too. In addition to being protective of her
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