Bobby Tail by David Cory (1975)

A young rabbit aspires to jump like his father, Mr. Rabbit, while his brother, Bobby Tail, is hindered by laziness and a growing weight. Bobby prefers eating clover to practicing, leading to his inability to run or jump effectively. One day, while visiting Granddaddy Bullfrog, Bobby and his brother are chased by Sic'em, the Farmer's Dog. Initially, Bobby keeps pace, but his lack of fitness soon causes him to lag behind. As Sic'em closes in, Bobby realizes the consequences of his inactivity. He narrowly escapes by jumping over the Old Rail Fence into the safety of the Bramble Patch. This close call serves as a wake-up call for Bobby, prompting him to commit to daily practice alongside Little Jack Rabbit. Over time, he improves significantly, becoming nearly as skilled a jumper as his brother. Meanwhile, Sic'em remains oblivious to Bobby's transformation, preoccupied with guarding the farm from other threats. The story emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the consequences of neglecting one's abilities.

By David Cory · First published 1975 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Fantasy · 541 words

First lines

MR. JOHN RABBIT had been a great jumper in his youth, and Little Jack Rabbit wished to learn to jump as far as his father, and even farther.

So every day he practiced jumping in the Sweet Clover Field near the Old Rail Fence until by and by he could jump over the second rail.

What this Textopian page supports

Bobby Tail is listed on Textopian as a short story by David Cory, dated 1975 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: 1975 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Children's Literature, Adventure, Fantasy, Animals
• Length: 541 words
• Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Bobby Tail by David Cory
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering Bobby Tail?
• How does this short story by David Cory fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• The Old Brown Horse by David Cory
• Danny Fox by David Cory
• Dr Doddridges Dog by George Macdonald
• Cat And Dog by E. H. Knatchbull Hugessen
• Mud Turtle Town by David Cory
• Billy Bunny And Big Yellow Dog by David Cory

Genres

• Children's Literature — The book 'Bobby Tail' by David Cory is primarily focused on and suitable for a young audience. The story features a friendly squirrel named Bobby Tail as the protagonist, setting an engaging and playful tone often seen in children’s literature.
• Adventure — The storyline involves a series of journeys and adventures that Bobby Tail embarks upon, which is characteristic of the adventure genre.
• Fantasy — The book includes talking animals and imaginary landscapes, typical elements of a fantasy literature.
• Animals — The protagonist of the story is a talking squirrel, along with other anthropomorphized characters, justifying the Animals genre.

Tags

dog · adventure · friendship · childrens literature · animals · loyalty · family · pets · imagination · playfulness · exploration · nature

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