Because of Winn-Dixie — Chapter 5

About This Passage

This short sentence is one of the best small jokes in the book, and it teaches children that a preacher (or a writer) can be serious and funny at the same time. Notice how the sentence is interrupted by a comma in the middle — 'Let us pray, the preacher finally said, for this mouse.' The comma is doing a lot of work. It holds the silence of the whole church waiting to see what will happen. Then 'for this mouse' lands like a small surprise that makes everyone laugh. The word 'finally' is important too — it tells us the preacher thought about it for a long time before deciding to pray for the mouse. A serious person being gentle to a mouse is a beautiful thing to notice.

Narration Prompt

Tell the story of this chapter. What was the funniest part, and why do you think the author wanted the scene at church to be funny instead of serious?

Discussion Questions

1. Winn-Dixie held the mouse 'real careful in his mouth, holding on to him tight but not squishing him.' Why does the author tell us that Winn-Dixie did not squish the mouse? What does this detail tell us about what kind of dog Winn-Dixie is?
2. The preacher cannot stand the thought of hurting even a mouse. Is this a sign of how strong he is, or a sign of how weak he is? What in the story makes you think so?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide