Eulogy for Leslie Burke
Leslie was a very special person. She dressed like a boy, she looked like a boy, she even had one of those names that could go either way. She was weird.
I had been practicing all summer for the race at the beginning of school. I was sure I would win. That race, when she beat me, made me hate her.
I didn't want to be her friend. But, Lord, Leslie was pushy. She wouldn't let me not be her friend, she wouldn't leave me alone.
She told me about her life and why she had moved out here. Our teacher gave me to watch a TV show and Leslie didn't have a TV. She got teased a lot, and was so upset she wasn't thinking. She sat in Janice Avery's seat, which wasn't a good idea. She escaped Janice in just in time. That horrible day she was having made me feel bad for her. That's when I decided to give Leslie a chance to be my friend. Becasue she really needed a friend.
Leslie had the biggest imagination I'd ever seen. She found an old rope and made it a magical passage to another world. She found the forest and made it a fun place to hang out. At Christmas time Leslie got me a really cool gift and I wanted to get her something just as awesome. She was so cheerful when I brought her P.T.. That Christmas will always be my favourite.
Leslie wasn't afraid of anyone, but she would help if she could. Like when Janice Avery stole MayBelle's Twinkies, MayBelle wanted us to beat up Janice but Leslie came up with a smarter idea. But when Leslie found Janice crying in the washroom, she offered her some advice even after Janice had been so mean to everyone.
Leslie saw things no one else could. She saw fun in an old forest, she saw the lonely person in Janice Avery, she saw potential in me and she magic where there wasn't to others. Leslie taught me that anyone can have imagination, not to be afraid of anything or anyone, but also to help when you can. Most of all she taught me that anything can be fun and magical.
I hope to continue everything that Leslie was, I hope to be everything that Leslie was. We remember Leslie for being different, fun, smart, and imaginative, but especially for being herself.