40 pages 1 hour read

Beverly Cleary

Runaway Ralph

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1970

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 4-6

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 4 Summary: “Chum”

Ralph wakes in the evening and explores his new housing. He spreads out his bedding and nibbles at the food in his bowl. He tries out the exercise wheel in the cage, finding it as initially exciting as the motorcycle, which he tries to catch a glimpse of through the window but fails.

As the sun rises, a boy blows the bugle to wake the camp. Garf sneaks into the craft shop to care for Ralph on his own. During the day, campers come into the craft shop and are distracted from their crafts by Ralph’s acrobatics on his wheel. They give him treats of the beans and grains they use to make mosaics.

When Garf sneaks in at lunch time to feed Ralph, Ralph tries hesitantly to talk to him. However, Garf doesn’t hear him and starts singing. Garf sings “Little Rabbit Fru-Fru,” which horrifies Ralph and prevents him from trying to connect with Garf. Ralph does notice, however, that Garf’s singing coincides with singing from the mess hall. Garf sings the same words, but his voice behaves differently from the other campers.

Several days pass, and Ralph is safe and comfortable in the cage in the craft shop.

Related Titles

By Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Beezus and Ramona

Beverly Cleary

Beezus and Ramona

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Beverly Cleary

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Henry And Beezus

Beverly Cleary, Illustr. Jacqueline Rogers

Henry And Beezus

Beverly Cleary, Illustr. Jacqueline Rogers

Plot Summary

logo

Henry and the Paper Route

Beverly Cleary

Henry and the Paper Route

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Henry Huggins

Beverly Cleary, Illustr. Tracy Dockray

Henry Huggins

Beverly Cleary, Illustr. Tracy Dockray

Study Guide

logo

Muggie Maggie

Beverly Cleary

Muggie Maggie

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Ralph S. Mouse

Beverly Cleary

Ralph S. Mouse

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Ramona and Her Mother

Beverly Cleary

Ramona and Her Mother

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Ramona Quimby Age 8

Beverly Cleary

Ramona Quimby Age 8

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Ramona the Brave

Beverly Cleary

Ramona the Brave

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

Ramona the Pest

Beverly Cleary

Ramona the Pest

Beverly Cleary

Study Guide

logo

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Beverly Cleary

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Beverly Cleary