Summary of “Arm Wrestling with My Father” by Brad Manning

The story “Arm Wrestling with My Father” by Brad Manning is about his childhood and his relationship with his father. This story portraits a great relationship between a father and a son and how it changes over time. In the beginning of the story Manning tells the readers about how his relationship with his father has always been physical. But that was his father’s way of communicating with him, which Manning learned later. Manning never won once in arm wrestling with his father during his childhood; his father would always win. Manning included that he used to love losing to his father that would made him proud to have a strong father, but his feelings changed over time. Manning included that while he grew up and became strong, his father aged he became weak. Manning also tried to follow his father’s steps. Manning wanted to be just like his father, strong and powerful and that's why he joined the road crew. One day between college exams Manning came home, he cannot quiet recall how it started but him and his father started arm wrestling again but this time it was different and Manning was winning. That's when Manning realizes winning is not everything; sometimes letting go is the better choice to make. He realizes how his father had been the protector of the family and his strong arms had always protected them. He also remembers how much his dad had done for him and their family to keep them safe; because his dad was strong he never felt afraid when he was around him cause he knew his strong arms will protect him always.

The next day when Manning was leaving for college for the first time his father hugged him. He was not used to it so he got embarrassed. When he left, he felt his father’s love. He realizes that the time has changed. Now that Manning became stronger he is afraid that if he can take the responsibilities like his father.

Summary of mary ellen's story by howard markel

The story was based on a girl named Mary Ellen who left a very remarkable presence on the history. Mary Ellen’s father died when she was young. Her mother could not afford to take care of her baby therefore she was sent to the orphanage from where she was adopted by a couple. But het adopted father died after the adoption and her adopted mother’s neglection and abuse toward her begins. She could not tell anyone because she was afraid she was going to get into more trouble. Finally one of the neighbors notices her and reports to Department of Public Charities. From that point Mary Ellen’s case became very famous. It was published in New York Time; the case even went to the Supreme Court. In the end her adopted mother was guilty of what she had done to her. Mary Ellen went to a temporary placement in home for delinquent teenagers from there. But later on Etta Wheeler, her mother and her sister in New York, raised her. Her story ended well. She was married and had two children. She adopted one girl and she raised her well.