My Friend Flicka

My Friend Flicka (1941) is a work of children’s literature by Mary O’Hara. The novel tells the story of Ken McLaughlin, a 10-year-old boy living on Goose Bar Ranch in Wyoming. As the summer begins, his parents wonder what to do with him, as he failed his school year, struggles to focus, and repeatedly breaks or loses things when he tries to help on the ranch. His mother convinces his father to finally allow him to have his own colt, hoping that it will teach him to be responsible. Despite his father’s protests, Ken is adamant that he wants to raise Flicka, a filly who comes from a line of unruly broncos. Through his journey, O’Hara explores The Power of Human-Animal Relationships, The Clash Between Romanticism and Realism, and Humanity’s Struggle to Control Nature.

This guide uses the 2008 Harper Trophy edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of animal death.

Language Note: The novel has a horse referred to as “Albino,” an offensive term for people with albinism. It also uses the words “loco” and “crazy” to refer to certain characteristics perceived as negative that are inherited by horses through breeding.

Plot Summary

Ken McLaughlin is a 10-year old boy who is spending the summer on Goose Bar Ranch, a horse ranch owned by his family. The ranch, in Wyoming, centers on raising wild horses, domesticating them, and selling them for rodeos, racing, polo, and more. Ken is often at odds with his father, referred to as McLaughlin, because of Ken’s immaturity and lack of focus. While Ken desperately wants to raise a colt of his own, his father repeatedly insists that he is not yet ready to do so.

When Ken returns from riding, he faces the wrath of his father. Ken recently learned that he failed the fifth grade and will be forced to take it again in the fall. Additionally, he has lost a saddle blanket, broken a bridle, and generally failed to complete his duties on the farm. In response, Ken’s father forces him to spend each day studying and continues to refuse to allow him to have a colt of his own.

At the same time, Ken’s mother, Nell, has a better understanding of what Ken is going through. She understands that he is easily distracted and spends most of his time using his imagination, struggling to remain grounded in the difficult life that they live on the ranch. She convinces her husband to allow Ken to have his own horse, believing that it will teach him the value of focus and responsibility.

Over the next week, Ken struggles to choose his colt. His parents and his older brother, Howard, emphasize the importance of choosing a horse that is strong and has a good bloodline. However, when Ken sees a young filly born from Rocket, the fastest horse on the ranch, he is adamant that he wants to choose her. His father insists that the filly’s bloodline is tainted, as she comes from a line of wild broncos. He urges Ken to choose a horse that will be easier to train and more reliable, but Ken refuses.

When one of McLaughlin’s friends, Sargent, visits, McLaughlin brags about Rocket’s speed but also her inability to be properly trained. Impressed, Sargent offers to buy her. After struggling to corral Rocket, McLaughlin manages to get her into the truck. However, upon leaving the farm, she tries to break free, instead hitting her head on the ranch’s sign and dying. Angry and dismayed, McLaughlin decides to sell all her offspring, deeming them incapable of proper training. He tries to get Ken to sell his filly, but Ken refuses.

Respecting his son’s decision, McLaughlin and the other workers try to bring the filly, now named Flicka, in so that they can begin her training. The first time, Flicka flees, breaking through the doors of the stable and returning to the range. The next time, she tries desperately to jump the tall fence, instead bringing it down and wrapping herself in the barbed wire. She is severely injured, with McLaughlin noting that she is unlikely to survive.

Over the next several weeks, Ken spends his time caring for Flicka and nursing her back to health. At the same time, he becomes more responsible, helping on the farm and earning his father’s respect. Eventually, McLaughlin acknowledges that there may be a chance for Flicka to survive and be properly trained. He emphasizes the importance of Ken respecting Flicka, caring for her, communicating with her, and, ultimately, earning her trust.

At the same time, a mountain lion threatens the ranch. It first kills Rocket’s newest colt, then traces of the lion are seen around the farm. Although Nell expresses her fears, McLaughlin continues to insist that the lion will stay away and that they will be protected, both by the horses they travel on and by their weapons.

As Flicka begins to recover from her injuries, she still struggles with an infection. McLaughlin gets an antibiotic for her, an act that makes Ken realize that his father is willing to spend money on her. His mother points out that Ken’s school also costs them money, as will his need to repeat the fifth grade. Wanting to repay his father, Ken spends time writing the English essay that he failed to send in. He then sends it to his teacher, hoping that he will change his mind and allow Ken to move onto the next grade.

Eventually, it becomes clear that Flicka is not going to recover. Although she has built a strong bond with Ken, she has continued to deteriorate, failing to put on any weight and being overwhelmed by infection. When McLaughlin discovers this, he insists that Flicka should be killed out of mercy.

The night before Flicka is set to be killed, Ken goes out to see her. He discovers that she had tried to make it to the stream to drink, but instead fell in, fully submerging herself up to her head. Ken desperately pulls her out of the water, using his own body to support her. He then stays with her throughout the night, keeping her head afloat despite the freezing temperatures. The next morning, he is found by Gus, the ranch’s foreman. Gus rushes Ken inside where he is cared for by his mother, while his father goes into town to find a doctor.

When Gus returns to Flicka, intent on killing her because of McLaughlin’s orders, he discovers that Flicka has recovered greatly overnight. The water from the stream has washed her wounds, leaving no trace of the infection. Although she still struggles to stand, it is clear that she is recovering. Unsure what to do, Gus decides to wait to discuss the situation with McLaughlin and leaves Flicka alive.

Dr. Scott comes and sees Ken. He is afraid of Ken’s spiking temperature and his constant chills. He gives Nell instructions for caring for him, then McLaughlin accompanies Dr. Scott to town to get more medication. When McLaughlin returns, he is angry to discover that Gus has not followed his orders. He takes his gun, which has only one bullet, and goes to kill Flicka himself.

As a lightning storm rages around McLaughlin, he arrives by the stream where Flicka is resting. He immediately sees that Flicka is beginning to recover. Then, in flashes of lightning, he spots the mountain lion nearby. Although McLaughlin shoots at it, he misses, using his only bullet in the process.

Having heard the gunshot, Nell comes to check on her husband. He tells her that he is planning to stay with Flicka throughout the night, watching over her and guarding her from the lion. Nell brings him another gun and helps him build a fire, then returns to care for Ken.

Early the next morning, after having stayed by Flicka the entire night, McLaughlin gets his first opportunity to shoot the mountain lion. He is successful, killing it and saving himself and Flicka. When he returns to the house, he and his wife decide to keep Flicka’s survival from Ken, not wanting to impede his recovery.

Over the next few months, into winter, Ken slowly recovers. His mother tries to get him to engage with the world around him, but he instead remains secluded and in bed most of the time. He asks his mother about Flicka, and she reveals the truth of her survival. Even then, Ken struggles to get out of bed, still trying to get back his strength and grappling with his feelings of dislocation.

One day, McLaughlin comes and gets his son, insisting that he needs to show him something. He drives him to the edge of the forest where a large buck stands in the snow. Overwhelmed by the beauty of it, Ken feels his urge to return to the world. That afternoon, he goes and sees Flicka, with the two excitedly greeting each other.