A Perplexed Little Rabbit
A young rabbit faces anxiety as winter approaches and the Clover Patch dries up. Concerned about his survival, he contemplates hibernation, a practice common among his animal friends. He first consults Chatterbox, who suggests foraging for food, but the rabbit feels unprepared. Seeking advice, he approaches his mother, who is too busy to help. He then meets Hedgy Hedgehog, who explains his winter preparations, including hibernation, which the rabbit finds unsuitable. Continuing his quest for answers, he encounters Granddaddy Bullfrog, who shares his own method of sleeping in the mud during winter. The rabbit realizes that hibernation is not an option for him, leading to further worry about his fate. The story explores themes of anxiety, survival, and the quest for knowledge, as the little rabbit navigates his fears and seeks guidance from others in the animal kingdom. Ultimately, he learns that he must find his own way to cope with the impending winter, highlighting the importance of self-reliance and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.
By David Cory · First published 1970 · Genre: Children's literature, Adventure, Coming of age · 466 words
First lines
"GOODNESS gracious me! " exclaimed Little Jack Rabbit, all of a sudden, "the Clover Patch is all dried up. What shall I do when winter comes?"
"Hunt for old turnips and carrots in the field," laughed Chatterbox.
What this Textopian page supports
A Perplexed Little Rabbit is listed on Textopian as a short story by David Cory, dated 1970 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: David Cory
- Date: 1970 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's literature, Adventure, Coming of age
- Length: 466 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Perplexed Little Rabbit by David Cory
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Perplexed Little Rabbit?
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Genres
- Children's literature — The title suggests a young or small anthropomorphized rabbit as the protagonist, a common theme in children’s literature.
- Adventure — The word 'perplexed' suggests the rabbit may face various challenges, commonly found in adventure stories.
- Coming of age — The 'little' rabbit may grow and learn through its perplexities, indicating a coming-of-age story.
Tags
rabbit · children's literature · animal story · adventure · curiosity · friendship · nature · imagination · problem-solving · growth · whimsical · fantasy
More by David Cory
- The Adventures Of Puss In Boots (1900)
- The Iceberg Express (1987)
- The Cruise of the Noah's Ark (1894)
- Little Jack Rabbit and the Squirrel Brothers (1940)
- The Magic Soap Bubble (1978)
- Puss Junior and Robinson Crusoe (1792)
- Puss in Boots, Jr., and the Good Gray Horse (1987)
- Hawk Eye (1970)
- All works by David Cory