Phoebe Pheasant by David Cory (1975)
A timid young pheasant named Phoebe navigates the dewy morning of Sunny Meadow, unbothered by the cold. She often visits the Old Farmyard for breakfast but flees at the slightest sound. Excited to see her friend, Little Jack Rabbit, she rushes to the Old Bramble Patch to ask about Turkey Tim, a turkey who left the farm before Thanksgiving. Tim is anxious about returning, fearing the Kind Farmer's anger for missing the holiday feast. Phoebe learns from Jack that the farmer is upset and that it would be dangerous for Tim to return too soon, as he risks becoming a meal. Phoebe expresses concern for Tim, who is alone in the Shady Forest and not a wild turkey. Jack reassures her that Tim should wait until the Thanksgiving fuss has died down. The story explores themes of friendship, fear, and the challenges of facing consequences, all set against a backdrop of nature and the changing seasons. Phoebe's character embodies both courage and vulnerability, highlighting the struggles of those who feel out of place or in danger. The narrative captures the essence of childhood innocence and the importance of companionship in navigating life's uncertainties.
By David Cory · First published 1975 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Fantasy · 409 words
First lines
LITTLE Phoebe Pheasant's dew-wet feet hurried along the edge of the Sunny Meadow. Mr. Merry Sun hadn't been up long enough to dry the grass, for it was very early in the morning.
In some places the dew had turned to frost, but the little pheasant didn't mind that in the least, for she is a hardy bird, and not a bit afraid of cold weather.
What this Textopian page supports
Phoebe Pheasant 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, Nature Literature
- Length: 409 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Phoebe Pheasant 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 Phoebe Pheasant?
- 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
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- Billy Bunny And Mr Tootie Owl by David Cory
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- Billy Bunny And Danny Billygoat by David Cory
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is a short, simple, instructive tale about anthropomorphized animal characters, fitting the literary standards of a children's story
- Adventure — The story follows Phoebe Pheasant experiencing numerous situations and challenges, thus falling under the category of adventure
- Fantasy — The tale involves animals that speak and behave like humans, an imaginative concept that aligns with the fantasy genre
- Nature Literature — The story embarks on the life of a bird in the natural world which can be categorized under nature literature
Tags
children's literature · animal story · adventure · friendship · nature · birds · family · imagination · growth · exploration · life lessons · whimsy
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