# III: Lightfoot Tells How His Antlers Grew explained — Green Forest Stories

> Chapter companion for Green Forest Stories by Thornton W. Burgess.

## What happens

Peter Rabbit struggles to believe Lightfoot the Deer's account of how his antlers grow anew each year, but Jumper the Hare confirms the story. Lightfoot explains the process in detail: the old antlers fall off, new ones grow covered in a protective skin, then harden and shed the skin, leaving rags. He proudly declares that with his new antlers he fears only man with a gun.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wisdom and Experience

Lightfoot shares his firsthand knowledge of antler growth, and Jumper's experience corroborates the tale, teaching Peter about natural processes.

### The Cycle of Seasons

The chapter highlights the seasonal cycle of antler shedding and regrowth, from winter to spring and summer.

## Character check-ins

### Lightfoot the Deer

Explains the growth of his antlers and the shedding of the velvet covering.

### Peter Rabbit

Initially skeptical but eventually convinced by Lightfoot's explanation and Jumper's confirmation.

### Whitefoot the Wood Mouse

Appears as Jumper the Hare, Peter's cousin, who confirms Lightfoot's story.

## Key lines

> It is hard to believe what seems impossible. And yet what seems impossible to you may be a very commonplace matter to someone else.

Things that seem unbelievable to one person can be ordinary to another.

_Opening reflection on perspective and belief._

> They grew very fast, so fast that every day I could see by looking at my reflection in water that they were a little longer.

The antlers grew so quickly that Lightfoot could notice the increase daily by checking his reflection in water.

_Lightfoot describes the rapid growth of his antlers._

> Then I shall be ready to fight if need be and will fear no one save man, and will fear him only when he has a terrible gun with him.

Once his antlers are fully hardened, Lightfoot will be prepared to fight and will only be afraid of humans who carry guns.

_Lightfoot's declaration of confidence and the exception of armed humans._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/iii-lightfoot-tells-how-his-antlers-grew
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_forest_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters