Coop first entered the old mans life because he wanted to see him smile. He saw someone that was depressed and could not leave it alone. They became fast friends and stayed that way after they parted. They wrote to each other for decades.
It is important to know that though he was cheering up the old man he did end up going to see the entire world or at least the areas htat he could. They enjoyed the travel and he was one of the first people that the old man really changed.
After Coop settled down he raised a family and taught them to never be afraid, that chance will bring both good and ill you way. He taught them to love thier fellow man.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
He always loved nature and would scketch out any animal or plant that he found interesting.
He found the metorite with the old man and they decided to split it in half and each take one side, during this time a small chunk broke off and they decided to make it into a cane head. When Coop got old he used it to help him get around and walk. His kids and grandkids never really believed where it came from, not until they met the old man for the first time.
Coop was the last that he could say was from his day and he passed shortly before the old man met the boy or his friends.
When the old man met Coop he gave him the will to get up even though he had just lost his wife. When the old man bet the boy he found the will to inspire others the way Coop liked to do. He found the will to at least try because he saw a bit of himself in the boy, along with a bit of his old friend.