Green Forest Stories · Chapter
Lightfoot's Clever Trick explained
Lightfoot the Deer, aware of the hunter's persistence, devises a clever plan to determine if he is still being followed.
What happens
Lightfoot the Deer, aware of the hunter's persistence, devises a clever plan to determine if he is still being followed. He runs swiftly, then quietly doubles back to a brush pile on a hill, where he lies down to watch his old trail. As he rests, he observes other forest creatures going about their business, and gradually becomes convinced that the hunter has given up.
Themes in this chapter
Fear and Survival
Lightfoot's clever trick is driven by the need to survive the hunting season, and he must constantly outsmart the hunter to stay alive.
Wisdom and Experience
Lightfoot's plan to double back and watch from cover shows his learned wisdom and experience in evading hunters.
Characters to notice
- Lightfoot the Deer
Uses a clever trick to check if the hunter is still following him, then rests behind a brush pile.
- The Hunter
The hunter is the source of danger; Lightfoot respects his smartness and tries to determine if he is still being followed.
- Mrs. Grouse
Seen flying across the hollow with Mr. Grouse.
- Unc' Billy Possum
Spotted looking over a hollow tree, preparing for winter quarters.
- Whitefoot the Wood Mouse
Referenced as Jumper the Hare, seen squatting under a hemlock branch to nap.
Key passages
“He never makes the foolish mistake of thinking that other people are not smart.”
Lightfoot wisely assumes that others, including the hunter, are clever.
Highlights Lightfoot's respect for the hunter's intelligence.
“The certainty of danger is sometimes easier to bear than the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not there really is any danger.”
Knowing for sure that danger exists can be less stressful than wondering if it does.
Reflects Lightfoot's psychological state and motivation to confirm the hunter's presence.
“If the hunter were still following him, he would pass through that hollow in plain sight.”
Lightfoot positioned himself to see the hunter if he came through the open area below.
Describes the tactical advantage of Lightfoot's chosen hiding spot.