Tom does not like his corduroys because they squeak whenever he moves and all his friends tease him about it on Sunday. Tom's corduroys are described as, "A sad, muted, swishing little squeak, but distinctly audible" (Ross 220). This is a very detailed description of corduroys and can even infer imagery. Tom's corduroys make a "sad" squeak, but in normal everyday life squeaks don't sound sad, they just squeak making this an example of personification.
The final example of personification in the story is that of Tom's stomach. This scenario occurs when Tom is in the Chinese restaurant. His mother had given him money for dinner but Tom's stomach was, "all puckered and tense with nervousness" (Ross 225) so he instead orders an ice-cream soda. A stomach cannot physically be puckered and tense, it only feels that way. Thus making this a perfect example of personification.
These three examples of personification in the story add a certain effect and feeling to it. They provide a vivid description and image for the reader. In all instances, what is described does not normally portray the usual behavior of the object, yet it adds to the story. That is why Rock, Tom's corduroys, and his stomach are all examples of