Katniss's POV
"Dad, why do we come out here every morning?" I asked looking up at him.
"Because you need to know how to haunt and catch food if anything ever happens to me." He answered crouching down.
"But nothing will ever happen to you?" I said confused.
"The mines are a dangerous place to be Katniss, we don't know if something will help me or not." He explained to me.
"If something does happen to you will you have a funeral?" He nodded at my question. "I would want to do something in your honor." I tell him.
"Okay, do you remember the hanging tree song?" He asked me and I nodded. "If something happens to me and I have a funeral. I want you to sing that song in my honor, okay?" I nod again and he smiles.
Later that same day the mine explosion happened. He was right the peace keepers did arrange everyone who had died one big funeral. I was devastated but I didn't forget my promise. The day of the funeral I dressed in my best clothes and helped prepare Prim. I was nervous about singing in front of the whole district but I knew that it was what had to be done.
The funeral was very formal and several people said things about someone they knew in the accident. No one said anything about my father. I went up to the stand with the microphone and took a deep breath.
"My name is Katniss Everdeen, and my dad died in the explosion. I don't know how many of you knew my dad, but if you did then you would know that he was a great man and perfect dad. My dad knew that the mines were dangerous and told me what he wanted me to do if anything ever happened to him. Some of you may know that my dad was a great singer and he wanted me to sing something in his honor. I know that I'm just a little kid but I hope that I my singing will help you understand how amazing he was." I say slowly trying to sound smart.
"Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where dead man called out
For his love to flee.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run,
So we'd both be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope,
Side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight
In the hanging tree."
Everyone was silent… even the birds who must know that was not the time to be singing their beautiful tunes. I didn't really know what to do next. Should I go back down and let others speak or should I say more about my dad. I decided that I would talk a little more about my dad.
"My dad was really brave man he went into those mines everyday without knowing if he would come out and he did it to keep my sister Prim, my mom and I fed and taken care of. I'm gonna miss him so much but at least I know he died to take care of me which seems like a good way to go to me. My dad and all those other men died an honorable death and now they are free from the hunger of this district and Penem. I am honored to call one of them dad." I said and then I left the stand.
