David Malcolm

"David Malcolm" by Nelson Lloyd is a story about a young boy, David Malcolm, who sets out for a fishing trip in the mountains and meets several people on the way that show the concerns and strange characteristics of his little community. The story starts when David ignores what his mother says and meets a strange man called the Professor, who suggests there are bigger problems in the world. When David starts his trip, he feels bold and happy, but his mother is worried about him falling or seeing rattlesnakes, which makes the story funny and shows how brave David is supposed to be. As he moves on, he talks to people like Reverend Mr. Pound and Squire Crumple, who warn him about things, hinting that something bad might happen. The tale changes when David comes across Penelope Blight and her father that people call "the Professor" and who has some secrets. This meeting leads to future problems about how people judge each other and what happens when someone does not fit in, and it also hints that the story will talk about taking risks, keeping innocence, and trying to be yourself when others have different ideas.