A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry Comprehension Questions

Sharp, Pounce, Wag, and Warm

Mother

To explore the wide world beyond the den

Mother sings to them about the wide world beyond their den and the story of their life in the mountains

The father, as the alpha male, asserts dominance and control over the pack through scent-sharing and feeding rituals.

The protagonist seeks approval and acceptance from his father, emphasizing the importance of their relationship.

The pack's hunting activities and howling rituals are essential for their survival and bonding.

The protagonist struggles in his interactions with a rival wolf named Sharp.

The protagonist's mother plays a nurturing and guiding role, providing him with extra care and advice.

The story emphasizes the protagonist's physical and mental growth as he tries to prove his worth to the pack and his father.

The father teaches the protagonist about hunting and the dangers of consuming certain prey.

The father responds with guidance and caution, highlighting his role as a mentor.

They shape the protagonist's understanding of the natural world and his role within the pack.

It highlights the dynamics of pack hierarchy and the importance of tradition and knowledge transfer.

The story portrays the protagonist's coming of age as he learns from his father and the pack, ultimately shaping his identity as a wolf.

The protagonist's interactions with his father, the pack's dynamics, and his eagerness to learn and prove himself shape his identity and growth.

competes for food and space with siblings

explore the outside world

the mother

the pup ventures outside and encounters new scents and sounds

a 'pup-watcher'

when the pack returns with the mother

the father

a strong sense of belonging and home

sensory descriptions

the pup's growth and development as it learns about its place in the pack

hierarchy and kinship

it conveys the pup's curiosity and eagerness to explore the world outside the den

supporting role by his father, who leads the pack in the hunt for elk

Sharp, the young wolf's brother

unsatisfied and more determined to prove himself

play a supporting role in the hunts while Sharp gains favor and grows larger

the hierarchical structure and dynamics of a wolf pack, as well as the individual wolf's desire to prove himself

the intense competition and dynamics within the wolf pack, particularly between the young wolf and his brother

a sense of determination and resilience as the young wolf continues to strive for recognition and success within the pack

a powerful allegory for the challenges of finding one's place and identity within a social group, as well as the drive to prove oneself in the face of competition

the young wolf's father

herds the elk

his role within the pack, feeling overshadowed by his brother

the intense competition and dynamics within the wolf pack, particularly between the young wolf and his brother

His hunting skills and ability to be a lead wolf one day.

The pup observes a weasel, and his father tells him it is not poisonous and does not need to be feared.

They send a message to potential intruders to stay away from their territory.

They consider the possibility of leaving their territory.

Their unity and strength.

His brother.

The dangers of certain animals.

Hunting and the behavior of animals in the wild.

They belong to the mountains and should not fear the wolves on the prairie.

Another wolf.

A lead wolf.

His hunting skills.

The protagonist initially tries to lead the pale wolf into obstacles like a mound of biting ants, shrubs, and downed trees from last summer's fire. When the pale wolf follows him onto a narrow log, the log gives way and the pale wolf falls onto the spikes of broken tree trunks, resulting in his defeat.

The protagonist feels victorious and joyful after defeating the pale wolf, expressing determination to lure away more wolves to save his pack.

The protagonist's victory symbolizes his determination to protect and save his pack by outsmarting and defeating the enemy, demonstrating courage, strategic thinking, and leadership.

The protagonist's encounter with the pale wolf showcases his growth in understanding the challenges of leadership and the need to protect the pack, emphasizing his role as a lead wolf defending his family.

The wolf faces challenges such as injury, hunger, fear of enemy wolves and predators, and the struggle to find food and companionship.

The wolf observes birds and attempts to catch prey to alleviate hunger. It also longs for its pack and attempts to call for help through howling.

The wolf encounters a snake and realizes that it must fend for itself. It also demonstrates determination to survive and refuses to succumb to being eaten.

The wolf faces ongoing battles with hunger, weakness, and the harsh reality of surviving alone in the wilderness.

The wolf displays resilience, determination, and hope for reuniting with its pack.

Some key themes include survival, resilience, longing for companionship, and the harsh reality of living in solitary state.

The wolf's longing for companionship and its pack drives its attempts to call for help through howling and its hope for reuniting with its pack.

The wolf's attempt to catch prey reveals its instinct to hold still despite thirst and hunger, and its determination to find food.

The wolf's encounter with a snake reflects its determination to fend for itself and refusal to succumb to being eaten.

The wolf's observation of the birds signifies its attempts to catch prey and alleviate hunger.

The struggle to find food and avoid predators highlights the challenges the wolf faces in its solitary state.

The wolf experiences desperation, longing, determination, and hope amidst its struggles in the wilderness.

The bachelor wolves are young, male, and inexperienced, exhibiting disorganized and disrespectful hunting behavior, possibly as a result of being orphans.

The young wolf fears being outnumbered by a pack and watches the approaching wolves closely, suspecting that they may be hunters from an enemy pack.

Hunger drives the young wolf to hunt for elk, hoping to attract his pack with the scent of the kill.

In his eagerness to hunt, the young wolf gets injured by an elk and collapses. He experiences pain, darkness, and dreams of fighting an unseen enemy pack.

The text ends with the young wolf wounded and searching for help, after waking up alone, injured, and unable to move one of his paws.

He realizes they are not from his pack and suspects they may be hunters from an enemy pack.

The young wolf sets out to find his pack after realizing the approaching wolves are not from his pack.

The young wolf hopes to attract his pack with the scent of the elk kill, despite his injury.

The consequences of the young wolf's eagerness to hunt for elk are that he gets injured by an elk and collapses, experiencing pain, darkness, and dreams of fighting an unseen enemy pack.

The young wolf wakes up alone, injured, and unable to move one of his paws after collapsing while hunting for elk.

The bachelor wolves are young, male, and inexperienced, exhibiting disorganized and disrespectful hunting behavior, possibly as a result of being orphans.

The young wolf's worry about the safety of his family drives him to search for his pack near a prairie, hoping to find them.

The protagonist kills a snake and eats it along with the vole it had just swallowed.

The protagonist encounters the scent of men, which is a feared danger.

The protagonist hopes the raven will lead them to food.

The raven engages in a game with the protagonist, dropping a bone and diving for it repeatedly.

The protagonist realizes the raven is communicating and leading them to a source of meat.

The raven's behavior suggests it knows where to find food but needs the protagonist's help to access it.

The protagonist follows the raven across the prairie, away from the water, in search of food.

The evolving dynamic between the protagonist and the raven, with the latter guiding the former in search of food.

The protagonist's observation of the raven's behavior and the potential benefits of their partnership.

The protagonist's physical condition and the challenges faced in following the raven.

The raven's actions and the potential significance of its interactions with the protagonist.

The evolving dynamic between the protagonist and the raven, with the latter guiding the former in search of food.

The protagonist is driven by the memory of his father's last song, 'Carry on,' and is determined to find and save his family.

The wolf encounters signs of the enemy wolf pack's territory, marking a boundary he cannot cross, but he leaves scent trails for his family to follow.

The wolf observes the natural beauty and wildlife around him, including elk, hawks, and other animals, as he continues his search.

The protagonist's sense of responsibility and love for his family drive him to continue searching, despite the challenges and dangers he faces.

The story captures the protagonist's emotional journey, from loneliness and uncertainty to determination and hope, as he continues his quest to reunite with his family.

The protagonist's determination, resilience, and longing for his family are evident as he navigates the wilderness and remains vigilant for any signs of his pack.

The protagonist's unwavering determination to find and save his family drives him to overcome obstacles and maintain hope in the face of uncertainty.

The story highlights the protagonist's deep connection to the natural world and his pack as he navigates the terrain and searches for any signs of his family.

The protagonist's strong emotional connection to his family is highlighted through his memories and dreams of his father and Warm, a member of his pack.

The protagonist's resilience is tested as he confronts the reality of being alone in the vast and unfamiliar wilderness.

The protagonist's strong emotional connection, determination, and love for his family drive him to continue searching, despite the challenges and dangers he faces.

The protagonist's ultimate goal is to reunite with and save his family, despite the obstacles and uncertainties he encounters.

The protagonist experiences a mix of fear, concern for the wolves, temptation to join the feast, and conflict between the desire for meat and the warning from their mother about the danger posed by the men. They are also aware of the agony caused by the smell of the meat and the desperate need to share it with Warm.

The men lift black sticks to their shoulders and throw lightning from their sticks, resulting in the wolves going down. The brown wolf goes to the ground without a cry, and the gray one yelps aloud and struggles to run. The protagonist is shocked and horrified by the men's actions, feeling the agony of the wolves and the danger posed by the men.

The protagonist's internal conflict highlights their moral dilemma between the desperation for food and the warning from their mother about the danger posed by the men. It showcases their survival instincts as they weigh the risks of joining the feast against the potential threat posed by the men and the need to care for Warm.

The protagonist's observation of the men's behavior and their impact on the wolves reveals the harsh realities of survival in the wilderness, where external threats such as humans with weapons can pose significant dangers to the protagonist and other creatures in their struggle for survival.

The protagonist is a wolf and his companion is named Warm.

They are being chased by men with noisemakers and lightning.

The protagonist tries to draw attention away from Warm as they have to flee.

The protagonist finds himself alone and unable to find Warm after crossing a black river.

The protagonist decides to continue onward and seeks a place to hide and rest despite the pain and exhaustion.

The protagonist finds a secluded spot in a canyon, where he seeks solace and comfort by whispering the names of his pack before falling asleep.

The narrator is a wolf.

The wolf encounters a strange man-made structure with three lines of gray.

The wolf discovers the scent of an almost-wolf, a creature with a familiar yet different smell.

The almost-wolf is accompanied by a man pup who is not threatening it.

The almost-wolf stays with the man pup, even when a full-size man with a lightning stick appears.

The wolf decides to leave without calling the almost-wolf away one last time.

The central themes include the bond between the narrator and the raven as a symbol of companionship and hope, the struggle for survival in the wilderness, and the longing for home and familiar territory.

The narrator reminisces about their bond with Warm, who died before the narrator could save him, which adds an emotional layer to the narrative and highlights the theme of loss and longing.

The raven becomes a partner to the narrator, helping them catch a fish for food and leading them away from the canyon, symbolizing companionship and aid in the face of adversity.

The narrator struggles with hunger, disorientation, and the lack of familiar markers of wolves, making it difficult to adapt to the new land.

The narrator longs for their home ground and the familiar smells and sounds of their pack, which drives their search for a new pack or a place to call home, emphasizing the theme of belonging and familiarity.

The bond becomes a symbol of companionship and hope in the face of adversity, highlighting the theme of finding support and connection in challenging circumstances.

The realization emphasizes the struggle of adapting to a new environment and the sense of loss and disorientation, contributing to the theme of survival in an unfamiliar setting.

The raven shares in the hunt for food and remains by the narrator's side, showcasing loyalty, companionship, and mutual support in their journey.

The narrator experiences emotional disorientation and loss, as well as physical challenges such as hunger and thirst, highlighting the difficulties of survival in the wilderness.

The narrator hopes to find a new pack or a place to call home, emphasizing the theme of longing for companionship and a sense of belonging.

The raven's help in catching food and leading the narrator away from the canyon contributes to their survival and symbolizes the importance of mutual aid and partnership.

The overarching themes include companionship and hope in the face of adversity, the longing for home and familiar territory, and the challenges of survival and adaptation in an unfamiliar landscape.

The raven serves as a companion and guide to the lone wolf, providing support and assistance in navigating the challenging environment.

The wolf discovers that the deer had all its ribs broken and contained warm ice chips in its belly, indicating the presence of an unknown and potentially dangerous creature that killed the deer.

The story highlights a bond and reliance between the wolf and the raven, showcasing their strong companionship and interdependence in the wilderness.

The narrative emphasizes the wolf's survival instincts and its ability to adapt in challenging circumstances, showcasing the protagonist's resilience and determination to survive.

The story is told from the wolf's perspective, expressing its thoughts, emotions, and experiences, providing a unique insight into the protagonist's journey and the challenges faced in the wilderness.

The setting is a desolate, unforgiving environment where the wolf and raven navigate to survive, adding a sense of isolation and danger that shapes the challenges encountered throughout the narrative.

The discovery of warm ice chips in the deer's belly and the realization of an unknown and potentially dangerous creature drive the wolf's determination to uncover more about this mysterious threat in the wilderness.

The wolf feels strong and satisfied after consuming the entire deer, but then realizes its home is across the river, leading to a mix of physical strength and emotional concern about returning home.

Themes of survival, companionship, resilience, and the unknown dangers of the wilderness are central to the narrative, shaping the protagonist's journey and experiences.

The wolf's struggle with hunger emphasizes the challenges of survival in the barren land, highlighting the protagonist's determination and resourcefulness in seeking sustenance.

The narrative portrays encounters with a barren, dry land, a black river, a dead deer, and warm ice chips within the deer's belly, showcasing the diverse natural elements and wildlife present in the wilderness.

The story delves into the wolf's adaptability and instincts as it navigates the wilderness, particularly in response to the discovery of warm ice chips and the resolve to learn more about the mysterious creature, highlighting the protagonist's ability to confront and adapt to unforeseen threats.

The text describes huge gray cranes, smaller cranes with long yellow legs, pure-white swans, ducks, and geese of every color.

The protagonist picks a spot with many hoofprints in the mud, settles in the tall grass nearby, and waits for the animals with hooves to come to the water at dusk.

A yearling buck comes to the water, and the protagonist springs on him, landing the killing blow before he has time to run. The buck falls at the water's edge.

The protagonist drinks the water in gulps, rolls over to drown the bugs in their fur, kicks up water for pleasure, wades to the shore and shakes, and then ducks under the water to shake again. They also observe the various birds and prepare for hunting at the lake.

The narrator experiences a mix of emotions, including intrigue, hunger, dread, vulnerability, and wariness, as evident throughout the narrative.

The father horse stands guard, displays tenderness towards the mother, celebrates the new life, and emphasizes dominance and strength, as observed by the narrator.

The birth of the foal triggers memories of a past injury caused by an elk and a similar hunting experience with another wolf, leading to conflicting emotions of hunger, fear, and fascination.

The narrator finds the lead horse's odd behavior and strange smell intriguing and hunger-inducing.

The narrator feels a sense of dread and vulnerability, cautious around the powerful father horse, and avoids confrontation due to the emphasized dominance and strength.

The horses encourage the mother to stand after giving birth, displaying a supportive and familial bond, as observed by the narrator.

The father horse's actions trigger memories of a past injury caused by an elk, leading the narrator to feel cautious and wary around him.

The narrator's internal struggle and fascination are evident through conflicting emotions, including hunger, fear, and intrigue, as the horses celebrate the new life.

The narrator is surprised to witness a group of horses in the mountains, as they usually come with men, as mentioned in the narrative.

The lead horse goes into labor, displaying odd behavior and a strange smell, which the narrator finds intriguing and hunger-inducing, leading to the birth of a foal described in graphic detail.

The narrator's caution around the powerful father horse reflects a tone of wariness, vulnerability, and avoidance of confrontation, as emphasized throughout the narrative.

The central theme portrayed is a mix of conflicting emotions, vulnerability, familial bond, dominance, and strength, as evident through the narrator's observations of the horse birth and interactions.

feelings of emptiness and a longing for companionship

a mountain

the presence of other wolves

a herd of elk and a pack of wolves

signs of other wolves

the company of elk and wolves

various animals and vegetation

his past experiences with his wolf pack

feelings of isolation

joins a pack of ravens and abandons the wolf

other wolves

loneliness and longing for companionship

The lone wolf encounters a cougar, a dangerous predator that steals young animals.

The lone wolf engages in a high-speed chase with the cougar to protect himself and the horses.

The lone wolf finds water and waits for prey to come to drink, where he finds solace and comfort before falling asleep.

The lone wolf reflects on the memories of howling with his pack.

The lone wolf plans to hunt for food when the deer arrive at sundown.

The lone wolf's resolve to survive and thrive in solitude is evident throughout the text.

The lone wolf's journey is challenging due to the encounters with dangerous predators and the struggle for survival in the wilderness.

The lone wolf considers returning to his old pack but decides against it, showcasing his independence and determination to thrive on his own.

The lone wolf remains vigilant and cautious in the wilderness by constantly assessing potential dangers and staying alert.

The lone wolf's encounter with the cougar reveals his bravery and willingness to put himself in danger to protect others.

The lone wolf's decision to rest and wait for prey at a stream demonstrates his patience and strategic approach to hunting for food.

The lone wolf's journey symbolizes the pursuit of independence, resilience, and survival in the face of challenges.

The protagonist decides to set a feast.

The protagonist hunts a black-horned deer.

The protagonist ends up catching a rabbit.

The protagonist's shadow becomes their only companion.

The protagonist battles feelings of despair and loneliness.

The protagonist realizes the need for patience and rest by the water.

The protagonist struggles with the harsh environment and feels like it's not a suitable place for a wolf to live.

The protagonist experiences the passing of time and the solitude of their journey.

The protagonist sees a group of black-horned deer and decides to hunt one.

The protagonist continues their journey, feeling alone and unworthy.

The protagonist's emotional strength and determination drive them to endure the challenges of the environment.

The protagonist feels the weight of loneliness and the absence of company.

The protagonist decides to make the area their home ground and mountains, based on the presence of elk and the familiarity of the environment.

The wolf encounters trees, woodpeckers, black-headed blue jays, and short-eared brush rabbits, as well as the smell of elk and unfamiliar birds and trees.

The wolf feels a sudden hunger for elk, realizing that it is real and wolf food, and decides to make the area their home ground.

The wolf's struggle and fascination are shown through their hunger for companionship and food, their cautious approach to the new wolf and territory, and their ultimate decision to make the area their home ground.

The Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest is located in North America, where the Mediterranean-style climate of California meets the temperate rain forests and deciduous forests to the north. Great Basin plants from the eastern border also flourish in some areas, making it the most botanically diverse of all America’s national forests.

Pronghorns are neither antelopes nor deer; their prongs are permanent, like a horn, but they shed the outer covering each year, like an antler. Only the cheetah runs faster than a pronghorn’s fifty-five-mile-per-hour sprint, but unlike cheetahs, pronghorns can run at half their top speed for many miles.

Sandhill cranes are as tall as a seven-year-old and have a wingspan of more than seven feet. They have scarlet caps and traffic-light yellow eyes. They dance, leaping into the air with spread wings, bowing, honking, hissing, and tossing sticks into the air. They dance to defend territory, to threaten a predator, to find a mate, to teach the young, and to strengthen their lifelong pair bond.

The Siskiyou National Forest rises from sea level in the west to nine thousand feet at its highest point. The world’s tallest pine, a ponderosa, can be found here: it can grow up to 270 feet. The Rogue River watershed has more than two hundred square miles of wild and scenic rivers, which are home to salmon, steelhead, and trout.

Chinook salmon are born in freshwater streams. They swim hundreds of miles to the ocean and thousands more to the Gulf of Alaska, where they grow to as much as 120 pounds. They are the largest of all salmon species, and a favorite food of orcas and sea lions. The survivors return to their home streams to spawn.

The Western red cedar can grow for thousands of years. Its wood is easily worked, yet extraordinarily durable. It is used to make canoes, totem poles, houses, and tools. The bark can be made into baskets, clothing, and rope. Many parts are used as medicine. It provides food for elk, deer, and rodents, and homes for owls, swifts, and bears.

Cougars, also known as mountain lions, don’t have manes or live in prides, and they can’t roar. But they are brilliant stealth hunters, able to jump more than fifteen feet into a tree, bring a deer to the ground in one pounce, and break its neck with one bite.

The pronghorn's ability to maintain its top speed for many miles sets it apart from other fast-running animals. Unlike cheetahs, pronghorns can sustain their sprint at half their top speed for long distances, making them exceptional endurance runners.

Over a thousand miles

Siskiyou National Forest

At least three

Journey

Up to forty miles per hour

Four and a half to six and a half feet long

70 to 115 pounds

Forty-two

More than two miles

A bear's

Black

Siskiyou National Forest

Wander marks his territory high up on a pine tree as a sign of ownership and readiness to hunt and live there

He howls to the new wolf and receives a sweet response, which guides him to her location

Wander is determined to take care of and protect the new wolf, even though he has not met her yet

Night is a raven-black wolf with amber eyes

Despite his attempts to assert dominance, Night does not yield, and Wander is unsure of how to proceed

Night takes a step toward Wander, and they engage in a fierce and wild chase around the meadow

Wander is impressed by Night's hunting skills and vows never to be hungry again if she accepts him

They listen to the call of a raven together, and Wander feels comforted by their presence

Wander and Night touch noses, and a shiver runs through him as Night rests her head on his shoulder

They hunt together, with Night leading the stalking of an elk and Wander leading the chase

Night and Wander work together seamlessly, with Night knowing what to do without being told

They successfully cut off a yearling buck from the rest of the elk pack during the chase

One pound

Twenty-five to five hundred square miles

Deer, elk, moose, or bison

Working together to catch prey

300,000-acre

Deeper

290-square-mile

Native bunch grass prairie

Water that runs inward and feeds lakes, wet meadows, and seasonally flooded marshes

Family herds led by a mare and defended by a stallion, or in bachelor herds made up of young males

Birds, deer, pronghorns, coyotes, weasels, mink, porcupines, and badgers

Two to thirty members led by an alpha pair with a long-term bond