Green Forest Stories · Chapter
XIII: A Great Mix-Up of Little Bears explained
Peter Rabbit cleverly escapes Boxer and Woof-Woof by darting under Boxer's nose and running around a brush pile, causing the two little bears to collide and start fighting each other.
What happens
Peter Rabbit cleverly escapes Boxer and Woof-Woof by darting under Boxer's nose and running around a brush pile, causing the two little bears to collide and start fighting each other. They tumble and scuffle until they are exhausted, then realize they have forgotten about Peter, who has escaped.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Cooperation
The lack of cooperation between Boxer and Woof-Woof leads to conflict and allows Peter to escape, highlighting the importance of working together.
Characters to notice
- Peter Rabbit
Peter uses his wits to escape Boxer and Woof-Woof by running around the brush pile, causing the bears to collide.
- Boxer
Boxer chases Peter but collides with Woof-Woof, leading to a fight between the siblings.
- Woof Woof
Woof-Woof runs into Boxer while chasing Peter, then fights with her brother before they both realize Peter has escaped.
Key passages
“If I blame you and you blame me ’Tis clear we’re bound to disagree.”
When each person blames the other, disagreement is inevitable.
Opening couplet sets the theme of mutual blame leading to conflict.
“Those two little Bears ran into each other so hard that both were knocked over!”
The two bear cubs collided with such force that they both fell down.
Describes the accidental collision caused by Peter's trick.
“It was dreadful for those twins to fight. But they had lost their tempers and there they were.”
It was terrible that the twin bears fought, but their anger had taken over.
Highlights the regretful nature of the siblings' quarrel.