The next day, when Poppa and Arlo went out to the silo, they found corn scattered all over the ground.

“A dang wilderness critter’s coming over the fence, getting into our silo, and eating our food. And I’ve had it up to my snout,” Poppa said angrily. He knew that if the family didn’t have enough corn for the winter, they would struggle to survive. Poppa turned to Arlo. “That’s why you’re gonna catch that critter.”

Arlo smiled as he imagined his print up on top of the silo. He was ready!

Poppa collected some supplies and showed Arlo how to build a trap. He tied a rock to one end of a long rope, set up a net, and had Arlo place a pile of corn on the ground for bait.

When they were finished, he rolled a pumpkin onto the pile to show Arlo how the trap worked. The pumpkin snapped up the rope, and the net fell to the ground as a jingling sound rang out. Then Poppa picked up a huge mallet. “This is how you’re gonna finish the job.” He brought the mallet down fast, smashing the pumpkin to a pulp. “When that critter’s taken care of, you’ll put your mark on the silo, right next to mine.”

Arlo’s eyes lit up. “I’ll take care of that critter, Poppa. It won’t stand a chance.”

Arlo then stood guard, pacing back and forth in front of the silo, waiting for the critter to fall into the trap. He tried to mentally prepare for his big moment, taking lots of deep breaths and telling himself over and over that he could catch the critter…and finish it off.

A bug flew by his face and he scowled at it. “What are you doing, you bug?” Arlo said, practicing his tough voice and his ninja moves. “Get out of here!”

He continued pacing, preparing, and trying not to let fear into his thoughts. When a rogue leaf crossed his path, he made sure it knew its place. “Move along, leaf!” he shouted. “Move along!”

Just then, Arlo heard the jingling sound of the trap. His heart leaped. He felt a rush of anxiety and a fluttering of fear. He had caught something! He had caught the critter!

Holding the mallet high above his head, Arlo approached, preparing to whack the trapped pest. “Y-y-you’re dead, critter,” he stuttered.

Arlo couldn’t help but pause at the sight. What looked like a critter to Arlo was actually a human boy. The critter was choking from the net around his neck and struggling to breathe. And even though Arlo knew it was his job to catch the critter, he felt sorry for it. It was a living thing, and it just wasn’t in Arlo’s heart to bring the mallet down. Arlo sighed and opened the trap, releasing his caught critter.

“Okay…you’re free,” said Arlo, hoping it would just run off. But the boy stared at him and then started walking toward him!

“Wh-wh-what are you doing?” Arlo asked, trying to back away. “Just—just leave! Flee!”

But the boy continued to investigate, sniffing and sniffing. Arlo was afraid. He felt like he was about to be attacked! Finally, he tripped over a rock and screamed. This startled the critter, and he took off into the high grass.

Hearing Arlo’s cries, Poppa rushed over—just in time to see the wild pest escaping into the wilderness. “ARLO!” Poppa scolded. “Why’d you let it go?”

“It was bitin’, comin’ at me, and screechin’…and I—” Arlo stammered.

“You had a job to do!” Poppa yelled. He looked around and saw the critter’s tracks leading into the wilderness. “You gotta get over your fear, Arlo, or you won’t survive out here,” he said firmly. “Come on. We’re gonna finish your job right now.”

Poppa pushed Arlo along, and they walked up to the fence. Then Poppa climbed over. To Arlo, it was as if Poppa were climbing right into the mouth of that terrible beast. The towering trees, the darkness, the rushing river, the wild animals…all just waiting to swallow them up. Plus, it had started to rain.

“Out there?” Arlo asked nervously, his mouth going dry.

Poppa turned to Arlo. “Let’s go. Get over,” he said.

Poppa was tired of Arlo’s excuses. Poppa pushed Arlo over the fence with his tail, and the two went in search of the critter.