Bad Luck by David Cory (1973)

Name: Bad Luck
Author: David Cory

A worried mother rabbit believes that seeing the farmer's black cat cross the path signifies bad luck. Concerned for Timmy Meadowmouse, she urges her son, Little Jack Rabbit, to warn him. Jack finds Timmy, who is initially relieved to see him but becomes anxious upon hearing about the cat. They discuss the implications of the cat's path crossing, with Timmy expressing fear that it could mean trouble regardless of direction. Suddenly, Jack spots movement in the grass, prompting Timmy to retreat into his home just as the black cat appears. The cat confronts Jack, who bravely admits to warning Timmy. Drawing on his mother's teachings, Jack turns and kicks the cat, knocking it over and allowing him to escape back to safety. The story emphasizes the importance of heeding parental advice and showcases themes of bravery and quick thinking in the face of danger.

By David Cory · First published 1973 · Genre: Children's Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 506 words

First lines

"GOODNESS me! I'm dreadfully worried," cried Mrs. Rabbit, "I just saw the Kind Farmer's Black Cat cross the path from right to left, and that means bad luck, you know."

"I guess he's hunting for little Timmy Meadowmouse," answered Little Jack Rabbit. "It will be bad luck for Timmy to be caught."

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What this Textopian page supports

Bad Luck is listed on Textopian as a short story by David Cory, dated 1973 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: David Cory
Date: 1973 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Animal Story
Length: 506 words
Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for Bad Luck by David Cory
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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Fiction — The book is part of the 'Little Jack Rabbit' series, which is targeted towards a young audience and deals with anthropomorphic animal characters engaged in simplistic adventures.
Adventure — The story involves Little Jack Rabbit's various adventures and encounters with different characters, making 'Adventure' a relevant genre.
Fantasy — The book features talking animals and other fantastical elements that are generally associated with the 'Fantasy' genre.
Animal Story — Various animal characters are involved in the story and they carry out actions that are typically associated with humans, thereby making 'Animal Story' a notable genre.