How we cite our quotes: (Section.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"I was just giving you fairies," said Sal.
The urge to hit or pinch Sal was overwhelming. With laser eyes, Billy stared right through his sister. Underneath Sal's dense, dark curls clipped with a panda barrette and her lacy pastel nightgown, Billy saw the enemy. Why couldn't he have had a brother instead? (2.3.44-45)
Okay, so Billy isn't always the nicest. Sure, Sal really ticked him off when she put glitter on his diorama, but he feels angry as can be about it. Just check out the way he describes his little sis as "the enemy." Now that's pretty extreme. Looks like compassion has flown out the window for this big bro.
Quote #5
Billy didn't know what to say. He didn't want to hurt Papa's feelings. "Well—" he began. "I'm in second grade now. Nobody says Papa." His voice clouded. "It's babyish." (2.4.33)
Billy has a big task ahead of him when he asks his dad if he can start calling him by a new name. Did you notice Billy's tone in this quote? It looks like he knows that this convo has the potential to be a tough one. Gosh, it might even make his dad feel bad. But being compassionate doesn't always mean that Billy backs down from a challenge. Instead, our guy steps up to the plate, says his piece, and tries to be as nice as he can.
Quote #6
Billy took the pillowcase, filled it with clothes from Sal's dresser, and bound the open end with one of her stretchy hair bands, twisting it around and around. He'd left several inches of cloth at the end; he fanned it out. "This is the tail," he said.
Then he pushed and pulled and fluffed the stuffed pillowcase until it pleased him. "There," he said. "It's a whale. A big one."
"It is," said Sal. "Who is it?"
"This is—" Billy said, thinking fast. "This is—Coughdrop. He's the Drop Sisters' cousin. He usually lives at the aquarium. But he's here for a visit.
"Coughdrop," said Sal, smiling. "I love him. Make him say something." (3.4.42-46)
Oh boy, Sal can really push her brother's buttons. But sometimes he knows how to be the most compassionate big brother around, too. And when he wants to stay up all night, he's got even more reasons to be nice to his little sis so that she can be his partner in crime. Do you think Billy's motives impact his compassion here? Is he only being nice to meet his goal? Or does his kindness say something bigger about his personality?