Diary Entry by Jem

Today, could be said as the most wonderful day I had ever had since birth. The day started as usual, breakfast then to school. Scout and I then walked back home after school, using the same route, doing the same thing, looking like yet another normal and uneventful day. However, what is to come will make today the best and most memorable day in my life.
After Scout and I got home, we had our bath and lunch, we then sat at the chair next to the door to get some wind. Scout kept looking out of the window as if she had spotted something so I turned and looked out too. In the middle of the street, a dog was walking slowly towards town. As I found it quite odd to have a dog that walked with a twitch so I told Calpurnia about it and at first sight of the dog, she exclaimed a curse that there is a mad dog in town and ran to the phone to phone Atticus and the town operator.
After quite some time, Atticus and the town sheriff came. The sheriff stepped out of his car with a shot-gun in hand. Atticus asked him to shoot and kill the dog immediately so that it will not cause any harm to the town folks. He also told the sheriff that if he misses he will hit the Radley’s window and if he injured the dog, it will go berserk and start biting people. However, the sheriff exclaimed that he could not possibly kill the dog with one shot at such distance and that he will most probably miss and hit the Radley’s window.
Then, the sheriff asked Atticus to shoot but ‘Atticus can’t shoot,’ I thought. After a long conversation, Atticus finally got hold of the gun, he then took aim. Finding it not clear to aim with his spectacles on, he took them off and took aim again. After a short silent pause, he pulled the trigger. The sound of the bullet broke the town’s silence. I could not believe my eyes that Atticus can shoot and that it was so well. I only realized after asking Calpurnia that Atticus was once known as ‘One-Shot Finch’ and that he is the best shooter in Maycomb.
Although I really wanted to ask Atticus why he doesn’t shoot but I resisted it because I know that there must be a reason behind it and if Atticus wants to tell me he would. Most importantly, I know that Atticus is a great shooter and that is all I need.