SHORT STORY

Essay over October Sky

By Andrea Walsh

In October Sky homer had to over come many obstacles that stood in the way of his dreams. One obstacle he had to over come was getting out of Coal Wood. Not many people got out of that town, and no one believed Homer would make it out either. Homer had some thoughts that he would but still didn’t think very highly of it. Homers buddies didn’t think they would all make it out either, one of them was already saying he was a true miner.

             The first obstacle Homer faced was probable finding out information about rockets. No one really knew a lot about it, but Homer was determined to find information over the rockets he feel in love with. That’s when he encounters a problem within a problem. The go to kid for rockets was the geek of the school and if you were seen talking to him you would be the laughing stock of the school. So he thought about it for a minute and then went right over to him and just sat down and talked with him as if they were best friends. He killed two birds with one stone while doing this, he found out information about rockets and made a new friend that turned out to be pretty cool.

            During the movie all the boys are trying to find place and people to help them build a rocket. They have a lot of trouble with this because every one just thinks it’s a big waste of time and they wont get anywhere with it because “they are meant to work in the mine” That doesn’t get the boys to give up though. They tried to solve the problem by stealing metal and other supplies from Homers dad’s work. They also found a man to help the weld their washers onto the rocket.

            Another problem Homer runs into is his relationship with his father. They don’t have the best relationship because Homer isn’t a stud jock like his brother and he doesn’t want to mine coal and take his dads spot which really upsets his dad. I don’t think his dad really ever has liked Homer much. Throughout the whole movie Homer and his dad have problems and it brings Homer down a lot. Every time all the guys would go out and shoot a rocket off and the town was there to watch Homer’s dad would never come because he said he was to busy, I think he was just embarrassed. At the end of the movie they are shooting off their last rocket and Homer asked his dad to come, his dad didn’t think he could make it but he didn’t know for sure. Homer walked over to the town and said a few words looked around for his dad and at the last moment saw him. He had his dad push the button to send the last rocket souring into space!

            Homer had a lot of problems to solve during this video. It was basically about Homer overcoming everyone that didn’t believe in them, and convincing themselves that they could do something with this idea of rocket ship: even though they were only a few young boys coming from a small town with nothing to look forward to in live if they couldn’t get scholarships off of this. They proved everyone that didn’t believe in them wrong by all getting scholarships and staying out of the mine. 

Last Thought

There was only 5 seconds left, the score was 64-66, and I had the ball. We were losing. I was at the top of the key and my coach yelled out “14” that’s the play that tells me to take my girl to the lane and score. He had all confidence in me, but I was still scared. Everything then turned into slow motion and I looked up at the crowed! When I looked up I saw Mollie looking back down at me. Mollie was my friend that cried when I made my first point on varsity, was the first one to give me a hug, tell me good game, and say I was her hero. She gave me hope. I looked up at the clock…. only 3 seconds left.

            Took my first step left, put the ball down hard to the ground. The girl guarding me went for it. My mind was spinning 1000 times a second. I guided the ball between my legs to the right. Almost there…. only 2 seconds left. Pulled up for the shot and felt a sharp pain in my leg continued shooting. Before I knew it I was on the ground and the ball was falling threw the net. Everyone was running over to me. I looked at the clock, no time left and the score tied at 66-66. And there was a foul called. I was told to go to the line and shoot. I couldn’t get up. The girl that fouled me had sprained my ankle.  But I couldn’t stop now…I was about to win the game for us. My teammates helped me up. I walked to the line in pain. Looked around all everyone was standing yelling for me. All I had to do was make one shot. That’s it then the game would be over.  Once again I looked up into the crowd, I saw Mollie one more time. She had tears in her eyes. She was so happy for me, I hadn’t won the game for us yet but she was still so proud of me. I looked at her for what felt like 10 minutes but was only about 2 seconds. She lifted her hand into the air and yelled, “ you’re the biggest stud I have ever known and I love you Dreana.”

            Right then I knew I could do it. I stepped up to the line. Took three dribbles wiped the sweat off of my nose. Glimpsed over to Mollie quickly. Took a good look at the rim. As I was holding the ball I thought I help my whole life in my hands. As it slowly sword out of my hands high into the air, I stepped back to feel my teams presents all around me. As the ball fell threw the bottom of the net I looked up one last time to see Mollie running at me! Gave me the biggest hug ever and as she cried on my shoulder.  Best feeling ever having your friends there for you. We won the game and I was named MVP of the game.