Plot
Peter is frustrated with the horrendous behavior demonstrated by Fudge, who frequently goes unpunished. Peter becomes annoyed with Fudge because he often disturbs his petCharacters
Peter Warren Hatcher – the protagonist of the story, and a smart, assertive, but seemingly naïve 9-year-old boy. Most of the book focuses upon his relationship with Fudge and his family, and the fact that Fudge is the perceived source of all of his troubles. His parents, Warren and Anne, usually seem to let Fudge get away with anything and everything, and though it does appear that Peter's needs and wants are often ignored and overshadowed in favor of Fudge's, this is not always the case. Peter believes that Warren and Anne show Fudge preferential treatment, especially Anne; he also is frequently frustrated when Fudge gets into his things and tries to become involved in his activities. However, Peter does love him very much and shows concern for him when he is hospitalized (after swallowing Peter's pet turtle, Dribble) and the doctors speculate that they may need to operate on him. Peter is very upset when he learns that Dribble is dead and is furious when he sees Fudge get showered with attention and gifts when he comes home, but then Warren comes home with a dog for Peter for being "a good sport" and to compensate for the loss. Farley Drexel "Fudge" Hatcher – Peter's younger brother, whom he often resents. At the beginning of the book, Fudge (a nickname for his much-despised legal name, Farley) is 2½ years old, and turns 3 in Chapter 5. He is a very loud, demanding, and mischievous toddler who is prone to violent temper tantrums. He has a very active imagination, and others – including Sheila Tubman and the wife of one of his father's clients – adore him. In the final chapter, he swallows Peter's pet turtle, Dribble, and is hospitalized, but the doctors are able to help him expel him without surgery. Peter often sees him as a pest, but Fudge looks up to Peter, and eventually Peter realizes the bond that they have. Anne Hatcher – Peter and Fudge's mother and Warren's wife. A caring mother, she shows love and devotion to her family and is very protective of Fudge. Her sometimes-overprotective ways with him sometimes cause problems for Peter; for example, when Fudge jumps off the jungle gym at the playground at Central Park (believing he is a bird that will land safely), she scolds Peter severely, holding him solely responsible for Fudge's injuries and not even listening to his side of the story. She later admits to becoming overly emotional with the aftermath of Fudge's flying experience and taking it out on Peter. When Fudge ruined Peter's school project, Anne spanked him, which surprised even Peter, who was convinced that everyone thought that Fudge could do no wrong, but Anne remarks that Fudge should have known better. Warren Hatcher – Peter and Fudge's father and Ann's husband. He works at an unnamed advertising agency, whose major clients in ''Tales'' are Juicy-O, a fruit drink that the Hatchers find rather unpleasant, and Toddle Bike, a manufacturer of plastic toy tricycles à la the Big Wheel and Green Machine; Fudge is hired for a commercial for the latter product. Although most of Warren's clients are happy with his work and company, he also had his share of failures, such as losing the Juicy-O account. A loving father who wants what is best for his family, he is firmer and more conservative in rearing Peter and Fudge than Ann, particularly with Fudge. For example, when Fudge refused to eat unless he was fed like a dog, Warren was the one to finally lay down the law, that if Fudge didn't eat his food like a human, he would wear it. Unfortunately, Warren lacks in cooking and cleaning skills, and once cooked a disastrous dinner, and Fudge enforced his own "eat it or wear it" rule against him. Dribble – Peter's pet turtle, which he won at Jimmy Fargo's birthday party. Dribble seems to always be annoyed by Fudge, which led to Fudge swallowing him. Afterwards, Warren gives Peter a dog to try to make up for the loss of him; he names it Turtle in memory of Dribble. Sheila Tubman – Peter and Jimmy's classmate, who lives with her family in the same apartment building as the Hatchers. Peter is annoyed at the very thought of her, considering her to be a bossy know-it-all who still hasChapters
Chapter 1: The Big Winner * Peter wins his pet turtle, Dribble, at his friend Jimmy Fargo's birthday party, and shows him to everyone including Fudge, whom Peter warns not to touch him, and Fudge laughs like crazy. Chapter 2: Mr. and Mrs. Juicy O * Mr. and Mrs. Yarby stay with the Hatchers, and Fudge misbehaves. Chapter 3: The Family Dog * Fudge stops eating, and everyone tries to come up with ideas to get his appetite back. Chapter 4: My Brother the Bird * When Peter, Jimmy, and Sheila go to the playground at Central Park to look after Fudge, he jumps off the jungle gym and knocks out his two front teeth. Chapter 5: The Birthday Bash * Fudge has his third birthday party, which turns out to be a lot of work for Peter. Chapter 6: Fang Hits Town * Fudge misbehaves when he, Peter, and Ann spend Saturday together. Chapter 7: The Flying Train Committee * Peter, Jimmy, and Sheila work on a school project based on Transportation together. Chapter 8: The T.V. Star * Fudge is chosen to ride the Toddle Bike in a commercial. Chapter 9: Just Another Rainy Day * Peter, Fudge, and Warren head to the movie theater, where Fudge goes missing. Chapter 10: Dribble! * Fudge swallows Dribble. Peter gets a dog at the end and names him Turtle in memory of Dribble.References
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