Although Teft's story about his cousin's piranha initially seems pointless, the reader soon discovers the underlying lesson. Teft emphasizes the necessity to finish what you start. The Bedwetters' journey provides an example of perseverance in the face of an incredibly difficult mission. Provided with many opportunities to become disheartened and return to the camp before they liberate the buffaloes from their fatal end, the boys have learn one of the most important lessons in life. Although they sacrifice quite a bit in the course of their adventure, they extract meaning from the experience as a result.