Although slightly changed by each person, these are the basic lyrics to the song that Madame Zeroni taught Elya Yelnats and that was subsequently passed down through generations until it reached Stanley and Zero. The lyrics of the song show that even wolves and birds wish that life was easier.

Who wrote If only if only the woodpecker sighs?

Quote by Louis Sachar: 鈥淚f only, if only,” the woodpecker sighs, “The b鈥

Who sings the song at the end of holes?

The song my mind is If You Could Read My Mind by the great Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. I agree that is one helluva sad line, and although the Janis Joplin rendition is stellar, another equally stellar performance is by the songwriter himself, Kris Kristofferson.

What promise does Elya make to Madame Zeroni?

Elya’s promise was that after the pig grew strong he would carry Madame Zeroni, who only had one leg, up a mountain and sing her a song that she had taught him.

When Elya fell in love with Myra Madame Zeroni told him to?

150 years ago, Elya Yelnats was in love with the empty-headed but beautiful Myra Menke. Madame Zeroni told him to forget about her “Her head’s as empty as a flower pot.” She suggested he go to America, where her son lived.

How did Stanley break the curse in holes?

The last the viewers see of Madame Zeroni was her spirit smiling down on Elya’s great-great-grandson, Stanley Yelnats IV as he carried her great-great-great-grandson, Hector Zeroni, up God’s Thumb, then let him drink from a stream, and sang If Only, If Only, finally fulfilling the promise and breaking the curse.

How did Myra want to choose a husband?

How did Myra want to choose a husband? She wanted to choose the man who picked a number closest to hers between one and ten.

Why does holes end with a song?

A song from the film and the book, Elya Yelnats had to sing it to the pigs because of a deal he made with Madame Zeroni. The song goes, If only, if only, the woodpecker sighs, The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies.

How did the words if only if only parallel Stanley’s predicament?

How do the words “if only, if only” parallel Stanley’s predicament? They parallel Stanley’s wish that things had turned out differently for him.

What does Elya need to do in return?

elya must, as with the pig carry madame zeroni to the top of the mountain and sing to her the lulaby. if not the descendants would be cursed.

What did Elya remember as his ship was clearing the Harbour?

The captain could see that Elya was a man of great strength. Not everybody could carry a full-grown pig up the side of a mountain. It wasn’t until the ship had cleared the harbor and was heading out across the Atlantic that he suddenly remembered his promise to carry Madame Zeroni up the mountain.

Why do you think the boys don’t believe Stanley stole Clyde Livingston’s sneakers?

The boys do not believe him. Clyde Livingston is a famous baseball player. He testified in court that the stolen sneakers had been his and he had donated them for an auction to raise money for the homeless shelter where he once lived. Stanley felt bad that his sports hero thought him a thief.