"So Pa sold the little house. He sold the cow and calf. He made hickory bows and fastened them upright to the wagon box. Ma helped him stretch white canvas over them"

This quote from Laura Ingalls Wilder's novel Little House on the Prairie paints a vibrant picture of a household preparing to move. Pa has actually sold the household's little house, cow, and calf, and is now making hickory bows to attach to the wagon box. Ma is assisting him stretch white canvas over the bows, likely to produce a makeshift shelter for the family during their journey. This quote speaks with the durability of the Ingalls family, as they want to leave the comfort of their house and embark on a new adventure. It likewise speaks with the strength of their relationship, as they collaborate to make the best of their situation. The quote likewise acts as a suggestion of the value of household and the power of collaborating to conquer any challenge.