How did Woody mature under the Old Man's guidance? What factors contributed to their bond?

How did Woody mature under the Old Man's guidance? What factors contributed to their bond?

Woody began to see how his behaviors were really hurting him and not just the Old Man. His emerging admiration for the Old Man helped him realize that cheating and stealing were the symbols of someone who is a failure.

I think that the Old Man taught him discipline. Woody did have a compassion for animals but very little understanding of how fragile in health and endangered from greedy humans these giraffes were. The animals needed the highest level of care they could provide as well as constant protection. Discipline is a sign of maturity in my mind. I also believe that forgiveness is a sign of maturity. The Old man gave many opportunities for Woody to prove or redeem himself.

Woody and the old man shared a compassion and understanding for animals, specifically the giraffes, that allowed them to connect in spite of the generational differences that separated them…subsequently finding the commonalities in their life experiences. Once that connection was made, Woody became receptive to the wisdom that often, but not always comes with age. I agree with Eliza that the discipline required to care for the giraffes was crucial to Woody’s maturing process as well as the old man’s ability to overlook youthful missteps.

I think the Old Man first reached out to Woody and provided an opportunity to accomplish an important task provide a safe passage for the giraffes to the zoo in San Diego. Then Woody saw the compassion, understanding and needs of the Old Man that gave a new look at life and wanted to see his past as the past. But also for both it was journey of self-discovery and growth.

Woody start to account for his own actions. He wanted to do what was right for the Old Man and that changed his thoughts about what actually was the right thing to do. The Old Man making Woody accountable made their bond stronger. Woody had never had that type of love before and once he understood it he wanted to make the Old Man proud. Obviously the safe passage and love of the animals contributed to their bond.

The Old Man was an example of honesty, kindness, self-discipline and necessary authority combined. Woody was young, impetuous and had no idea the amount of care and responsibility he was taking on with transporting the giraffes. I especially liked the affection and protectiveness that both Woody and the Old Man felt for these animals. I think this story really showed that acceptance and respect for other species is both necessary and transformative if you open yourself up to that experience. Woody came to realize that life matters whether it is human or otherwise.

I think Woody was damaged, defensive and guarded at first but he learned to trust and respect Old Man and because he had to behave if he wanted to get to California and stay with the giraffes, he wound up learning from him and becoming a better person. I think that he still had some growing up to do, and it was too bad he never got that job at the zoo, I think he would have had a happier life if he had done so.

The Old Man set an example for Woody without pushing it down on him. He gave him responsibilities in the care of the giraffes and trusted him to carrying them out. He demonstrated a discipline that had to be followed to accomplish their task. While Woody was cautious after being hurt so many times, he found himself wanting to do the right thing, he learned that he had a conscious and wanted to please the Old Man.

Woody respected the Old Man and tried to become someone that the Old Man would value since he desperately wanted to travel to California with the giraffes.

For me, the relationship between Woody and the Old Man was one of the most touching parts of this book. The Old Man was a mentor and a teacher. He really shaped Woody as he grew and developed responsibility. I think there was a mutual respect between the two, that created an important bond.

The Old Man initially took Woody on as the driver because he was between a rock and a hard place, but he rapidly saw that Woody had potential. I believe he put up with Woody's half-truths, lies, and thievery because he had a pretty good idea of the hard knocks that Woody had suffered and because he could see Woody's pure love for animals.

Woody matured under the Old Man because he was treated decently by someone for the first time since his mother and sister had died. They say we rise to expectations and the Old Man placed positive expectations on Woody, yet he didn't immediately toss him alongside the road when Woody made mistakes.