Green Forest Stories · Chapter
Peter’s Glee Is Short-Lived explained
Peter Rabbit frightens two bear cubs for fun, but his glee ends abruptly when Mother Bear surprises him with an angry growl, sending him fleeing in terror.
What happens
Peter Rabbit frightens two bear cubs for fun, but his glee ends abruptly when Mother Bear surprises him with an angry growl, sending him fleeing in terror. Mother Bear grins at his fright and hopes he learns a lesson, while Peter hurries to share the secret of her cubs.
Themes in this chapter
Fear and Survival
Peter's fear of Mother Bear and the cubs' fear of the unknown threat highlight the theme of fear and survival.
Innocence and Vulnerability
The bear cubs are portrayed as innocent babies, vulnerable to Peter's cruel joke.
Characters to notice
- Peter Rabbit
Frightens the bear cubs and is later scared by Mother Bear.
- Mother Bear
Angrily chases Peter Rabbit after he frightens her cubs.
- Boxer
One of the frightened bear cubs.
Key passages
“You’ll find it very seldom pays To play a joke that works both ways.”
Playing a joke often backfires on the joker.
Moral lesson at the start of the chapter.
“Peter had been so intent on frightening those little cubs and then laughing at them that he had not heard Mother Bear until she had given that angry growl right behind him.”
Peter was so focused on scaring the cubs that he didn't notice Mother Bear approaching until she growled.
Key moment of Peter's surprise.