In "Childhood and Poetry” the young Neruda most likely puts a pine cone through the hole in the fence because:
<u>A: He wants to repay the generosity of the boy next door.</u>
According to the given story, the author narrates his experience as a young boy when he finds a hole in the fence board.
He meets a stranger who impacts his life by making him believe in himself which inspires him to write poetry and becomes his friend.
As a result of his new found friendship, and to repay the generosity of the stranger (now friend), he decides to put a pine through the hoke in the fence.
Well it all depends on details ; such as if it was a ghost town than the author would describe it as an eerie silence that makes even the strongest man feel backed down
