Blacky the Crow
The narrative follows Blacky the Crow, a clever and mischievous bird, as he navigates the challenges of survival in the Green Forest and the Green Meadows. Blacky is always on the lookout for food, especially during the harsh winter months when resources are scarce. His curiosity often leads him into trouble, particularly when he discovers two unusual eggs in the old nest of Redtail the Hawk, which actually belong to Hooty the Owl. Despite his initial desire to steal the eggs, Blacky learns that they are fiercely protected by Hooty and his mate. This realization prompts him to abandon his plans, but not without a lingering obsession with the eggs. His cunning nature drives him to devise a scheme to distract Hooty and steal the eggs, but his plans repeatedly fail due to Hooty's intelligence and vigilance. As the story progresses, Blacky encounters various characters, including Sammy Jay and Peter Rabbit, who provide commentary on his antics. Blacky's mischief culminates in a series of attempts to outsmart Hooty, but he ultimately learns valuable lessons about respect and the consequences of his actions. In a parallel storyline, Blacky observes a hunter who is baiting ducks with corn, leading to a moral dilemma. He grapples with the decision to warn the ducks of the impending danger posed by the hunter. Ultimately, Blacky chooses to act heroically, alerting the ducks and ensuring their safety, which leads to a deeper understanding of community and responsibility. The climax of the story occurs when Blacky steals a shiny egg from Farmer Brown's henhouse, only to discover that it is a china egg, not a real one. This twist highlights Blacky's journey from a self-serving thief to a more thoughtful character who appreciates beauty and the importance of community. The narrative concludes with Blacky reflecting on his adventures and the lessons learned, setting the stage for future tales involving other characters in the forest. The story emphasizes themes of curiosity, the consequences of mischief, and the importance of protecting one another in the face of danger.
By Thornton W Burgess · First published 1917 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fable, Nature Writing · 26,507 words
First lines
Blacky the Crow is always watching for things not intended for his sharp eyes. The result is that he gets into no end of trouble which he could avoid. In this respect he is just like his cousin, Sammy Jay. Between them they see a great deal with which they have no business and which it would be better for them not to see.
What this Textopian page supports
Blacky the Crow is listed on Textopian as a novel by Thornton W Burgess, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Thornton W Burgess
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fable, Nature Writing, Adventure, Fantasy
- Length: 26,507 words
- Structure: 1 section, 337 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Blacky the Crow by Thornton W Burgess
- 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 Blacky the Crow?
- How does this novel by Thornton W Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Lightfoot The Deer by Thornton W. Burgess
- Old Granny Fox by Thornton W. Burgess
- Tiger And Elephant by James Mcintyre
- The Bear And The Mouse by Parker Fillmore
- The Crocodile by Oliver Herford
- The Crab That Played With The Sea by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at a young audience, featuring animal characters and moral lessons.
- Fable — The story conveys moral lessons through the adventures of Blacky the Crow, typical of fables.
- Nature Writing — The narrative includes detailed observations of wildlife and natural settings.
- Adventure — The plot involves the adventures and challenges faced by Blacky, appealing to readers' sense of adventure.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fable · Animal Story · Nature · Wildlife · Friendship · Kindness · Humor · Adventure · Imagination · Realism · Morality