Alternate Ending to "Bud, Not Buddy"

Author’s note: In this essay I am writing about what I think would happen if Bud found his real father in the book “Bud, Not Buddy” by Christopher Paul Curtis.


If you were on the search to find your father, how close would you get to finding him? The main character Bud, from “Bud, Not Buddy” went on the adventure of a lifetime, looking for his father. Bud never really knew who his real father was, but four years after the death of his mother, Bud was determined to find his dad. Following the flyers his momma gave him before she passed, Bud finds himself in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Before Bud’s mother died, she gave him a couple of clues that would lead to him finding his father- flyers for a band called “The Dusky Devastators of the Depression!” Although constantly switching orphanages wasn’t enough, Bud decided to run away. On his journey from Flint, Michigan, to Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bud had met some really interesting people along the way, such as Herman E. Calloway. Herman was in the band that Bud had flyers for and when he noticed Bud’s talent for music, Herman wanted but in his band and was willing to do anything to get him in his band but when Bud found the missing piece to himself was he wanted to be in a circus, Bud joined a circus event and he participated as a clown. Because Bud needed to find his father, he figured he needed some money, and he discovered it was fate how there was a circus that he could become a part of, just around the same time he arrived in Grand Rapids.

Though Herman was angry that Bud took the road of a clown, and not a musician, he still let Bud live with him.
“I have an extra room in my house. I live with the rest of the Dusky Devastators of the Depression! If you want you can always tag along with us to performances.” Said Herman. He kept insisting on Bud coming with for a performance on stage when the truth finally came out.
“Okay, Bud. Listen, and you better listen well because what I’m about to tell you will change your life. I know all about your search to find your father, and I know who he is.”
Bud was so shocked, all he could say was
“That’s great! Who is my father? Oh but one more thing, how did you know I was looking for him?”
“Because one thing lead to another and I knew about the flyers and your momma guiding you here with little clues, and Bud, I know one thing and that you are looking at him.” Bud was speechless. He had finally found his father. This was a great moment for him and both Bud and Herman started hugging and crying. Out of excitement Bud said to his dad
“Why? Why for all these years not come visit me or at least let me know that you’re okay? I have gone my whole life not knowing who my father was and knowing now that you knew about me, it hurts. I am very happy but it has just been a mixed up day.”
All Herman could do was stare into the heart broken child’s glossy eyes and question himself in regret.
“It was a… complicated time between your mother and I. I know you wouldn’t understand and in the time, forgive me. I know you are angry, and have mixed emotions, but Bud one thing I know is I love you and never meant to hurt you. Please forgive me it was a terrible mistake. You are such a great kid from what I’ve seen from you these past couple of weeks.” But had forgiven him and decided to look past the mistake that his dad made, being really happy that he finally has a place to call home.