Tom Sawyer walked through many small paths. He wanted to get away from the other students. He crossed a small stream of water three times. He believed a superstition (a belief that some things bring good or bad luck). He thought water could stop people from following him.
Tom sat under a large oak tree in the woods. The air was very hot and quiet. He heard a bird far away, but everything else was silent. Tom Sawyer was very sad. He thought that life was very difficult.
He thought about a boy named Jimmy Hodges. Jimmy Hodges was a boy who died recently. Tom Sawyer thought it was peaceful to be dead. He thought about the grass and the wind over a grave. He felt very lonely because Becky Thatcher was mean to him.
Soon, Tom Sawyer felt better. He started to think about his future. Maybe he could go away to a far country. He did not want to be a clown anymore. He wanted to be a soldier or a great leader.
Finally, he decided to be a pirate (a criminal who sails on the sea and steals from other ships). He imagined his name in the news. He saw himself on a fast black ship. He wore a red belt and carried a sword. People would say, "Look! It is Tom Sawyer the Pirate!"
Tom Sawyer went to an old log. He started to dig with his knife. He found a small box made of wood. He said an incantation (special words used in a magic spell). He opened the box, but there was only one marble inside.
Tom Sawyer was very surprised. He usually believed in magic. He thought that if he buried one marble, all his lost marbles would come to him. But the magic failed. Tom Sawyer thought a witch broke the spell.
He saw a small hole in the sand. He called to a doodle-bug (a small insect that lives in a hole in the sand). He asked the insect for an answer. The insect came out and then ran back. Tom Sawyer was sure a witch was nearby.
Tom Sawyer heard a small toy trumpet in the forest. He took off his jacket. He found his toy bow and a wooden sword behind the log. He ran through the trees. He saw Joe Harper under a large tree.
Joe Harper was also dressed for a game. Tom Sawyer called out, "Who is in Sherwood Forest without my permission?" Joe Harper answered with words from a book. They were playing a game about Robin Hood.
They fought with their wooden swords. They were very hot and tired. Finally, Tom Sawyer told Joe Harper to fall down. Joe Harper fell, and then it was Joe Harper’s turn to be the hero. They played for a long time.
They were sad because there were no more real outlaws in the world. They thought being an outlaw was better than being the President. Then the two boys went home.