Where the Red Fern Grows

Twelve-year-old Billy Coleman becomes deeply fascinated by coon dogs and the thrill of coon hunting. Despite his family's financial struggles, his desire to own impressive hunting dogs motivates him to seek a way to make his dreams come true.

Billy learns from his father about a Bluetick puppy available at his grandfather's store. Excited by this news, he rushes to the store, only to find that the Pritchard brothers have schemes to buy the pup, leading to a hurtful experience of taunting.

Guided by his wise grandfather, Billy realizes that hard work and perseverance are key to achieving his goals. Taking this advice to heart, he commits to various laborious tasks in order to save enough money to buy the puppies.

After an intense period of work, Billy successfully gathers the fifty dollars needed to buy two puppies. However, he learns the price has dropped by five dollars just as he is about to make the purchase, leaving him conflicted but determined to proceed.

Realizing that the puppies have been shipped to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Billy decides to venture out on a nighttime journey to retrieve them. He uses some of his remaining money to buy gifts for his family, showing his thoughtfulness.

During his travels, Billy faces a frightening encounter with a cougar. Displaying remarkable bravery, he manages to scare the animal away by conjuring a fire, solidifying his resolve to proceed with his mission.

While navigating the beautiful Ozark terrain, Billy discovers a heart carved into a tree, inspiring him to name his puppies Little Ann and Old Dan. This moment symbolizes his growing commitment to them as hunting partners.

Billy begins training Little Ann and Old Dan using a coonskin as a guide, leading to their first hunting outing. They spot a clever raccoon, which outsmarts them by crossing a river, setting the stage for many future adventures.

Billy finds himself challenged by the Pritchard brothers, who speak of a ghost coon that no dog can catch. Determined to prove himself, Billy wagers that Dan and Ann can catch it, leading to a thrilling hunt that tests their skills.

The rivalry escalates when Old Blue, Ruben Pritchard's dog, attacks Dan and Ann. In a desperate attempt to intervene, Billy accidentally causes a tragic accident for Ruben, leaving him devastated and contemplating giving up hunting.

Despite his sorrow, Billy's family encourages him to participate in a significant coonhunt competition. He faces off against reputed hunters like Mr. Kyle, raising the stakes as he hopes to find success amidst his sorrow.

While Billy and his dogs, Dan and Ann, excel during the hunt, an unfortunate incident occurs when Grandpa injures his ankle. The realization that Grandpa is missing triggers a frantic search, showcasing Billy’s love and concern for his family.

During the awards ceremony, it appears Mr. Kyle will win the top honors, but in an unexpected turn, he presents the award to Billy. This gesture emphasizes the importance of humility and camaraderie in their competitive world.

As Billy and his loyal dogs venture deeper into the wilds post-competition, they encounter a formidable mountain lion. In a fierce struggle, Old Dan gets mortally wounded, leaving Billy devastated as he fights to save his beloved friend.

In the wake of Old Dan's death, Little Ann, grieving the loss, passes away as well. As Billy's family prepares to move to Tulsa, he finds solace in a beautiful red fern growing between their graves, providing him with peace as he embraces his family's future.