Old Granny Fox by Thornton W Burgess
In a wintery landscape, Granny Fox and her son Reddy struggle to find food, resorting to hunting. After several unsuccessful attempts at Farmer Brown's henhouse, Granny suggests they try during the day, despite the risks posed by Bowser the Hound. Reddy, eager and hungry, reluctantly follows her advice to search the Big River for food. He discovers a dead fish but is more interested in hunting a wild duck named Quacker. Granny devises a plan to catch Quacker by distracting him with antics, which Reddy initially doubts. However, as Quacker becomes curious and swims closer, Reddy realizes Granny's wisdom. Unfortunately, Reddy's impatience leads him to reveal himself, causing Quacker to escape. Granny teaches Reddy a lesson about humility and the importance of listening to experience. As winter continues, food remains scarce, and Granny and Reddy face starvation. They eventually steal a meal from Bowser, which brings them temporary relief but also teaches them about the consequences of their actions. Reddy's arrogance leads to trouble when he tries to catch chickens again, resulting in a close call with a hunter. After a series of misadventures, including being caught in a trap, Reddy learns the value of caution and respect for his elders. The story culminates in a change of scenery as they move to the Old Pasture, where Reddy struggles to adapt. Granny emphasizes the importance of wisdom and patience, reminding Reddy that true cleverness lies in knowing when to act and when to wait. Ultimately, the narrative explores themes of humility, the consequences of pride, and the importance of family and wisdom in the face of adversity. Reddy's journey reflects the challenges of growing up and learning from mistakes, guided by the experience of his mother, Granny Fox.
By Thornton W Burgess · First published 1927 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fable, Adventure · 26,769 words
First lines
Pray who is there who would refuse To bearer be of happy news? - Old Granny Fox
Snow covered the Green Meadows and the Green Forest, and ice bound the Smiling Pool and the Laughing Brook. Reddy and Granny Fox were hungry most of the time. It was not easy to find enough to eat these days, and so they spent nearly every minute they were awake in hunting. Sometimes they hunted together, but usually one went one way, and the other went another way so as to have a greater chance of finding something. If either found enough for two, the one finding it took the food back to their home if it could be carried. If not, the other was told where to find it.
What this Textopian page supports
Old Granny Fox is listed on Textopian as a novella by Thornton W Burgess, dated 1927 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Thornton W Burgess
- Date: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fable, Adventure, Nature Writing, Fantasy
- Length: 26,769 words
- Structure: 1 section, 386 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Old Granny Fox 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Old Granny Fox?
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Similar titles
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- The Story Of A Cat A Mouse A Lizard And An Owl by S. M. Mitra
- The Elf The Dormouse by Oliver Herford
- Happy Jack by Thornton W. Burgess
- Little Bun Rabbit by L. Frank Baum
- The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame
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 anthropomorphized animals, typical of fables.
- Adventure — The plot involves the adventures of Old Granny Fox and her interactions with other animals.
- Nature Writing — The book includes elements of nature and animal behavior, reflecting the natural world.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fable · Animal Fiction · Foxes · Granny Fox · Wisdom · Moral Lessons · Nature · Wildlife · Friendship · Kindness · Humor