Fish in a Tree: Chapter 33 Summary & Analysis

Ally's afternoons with Mr. Daniels get easier because she's happy, but the work is hard. She struggles to understand that "cat" has three separate sounds and worries she'll never read a full book. After one lesson, Mr. Daniels asks Ally how she's feeling. Ally says she's happy to do the extra work, but it still feels like it'll be impossible to read like the other kids. With a serious look, he writes "impossible" on a piece of paper. Then, he draws a red line between the m and the p and tells her to rip it there, and then asks her to throw the "im" in the trash. Ally looks Mr. Daniels in the eye as she does so, trying to tell him with her eyes how grateful she is. He sends Ally off and she leaves, still holding the "possible" paper in her hand. She wants to believe.