# Visitors to Paddy’s Pond explained — Green Forest Stories

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

## What happens

The hunter waits motionless by Paddy's pond, hoping to shoot Lightfoot the Deer. Mr. and Mrs. Quack arrive and swim within easy range, but the hunter resists the temptation to shoot them. Bobby Coon also appears, washes his food, and eats on the dam, yet the hunter holds his fire. Lightfoot watches from the ridge, feeling bitter that the hunter wants him so badly. Finally, Reddy Fox arrives at the pond.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fear and Survival

The hunter's patient ambush and Lightfoot's bitter awareness of being hunted highlight the constant threat to survival.

### Innocence and Vulnerability

Mr. and Mrs. Quack and Bobby Coon go about their innocent activities, completely unaware of the hidden danger.

## Character check-ins

### The Hunter

Sits motionless on a log, patiently waiting for Lightfoot, resisting the temptation to shoot Mr. and Mrs. Quack or Bobby Coon.

### Lightfoot the Deer

Watches from the hemlock-trees on the ridge, understanding that the hunter spares other animals only to kill him.

### Paddy the Beaver

Observes the hunter and is tempted to warn the ducks, but decides to wait as long as the hunter does not move.

### Mr. Quack

Alights with Mrs. Quack in the pond, cleans his feathers, and feeds unsuspectingly within range of the hunter's gun.

### Mrs. Quack

Arrives with Mr. Quack, swims and feeds in the pond, unaware of the hunter's presence.

### Bobby Coon

Appears at the dam, washes his food in the water, and eats on the dam before disappearing into the forest.

### Reddy Fox

Arrives at the upper end of the pond wearing his wonderful red coat.

## Key lines

> That hunter was a man of patience. Also he was a man who understood the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows. He knew that if he would not be seen he must not move.

The hunter was patient and knowledgeable about the forest creatures, understanding that staying still was key to remaining hidden.

_Introduces the hunter's strategy and expertise._

> It is because he wants to kill me that he doesn't shoot at Mr. and Mrs. Quack or Bobby Coon.

Lightfoot realizes the hunter spares the other animals only because his true target is Lightfoot himself.

_Lightfoot's bitter insight into the hunter's motives._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xvi-visitors-to-paddy-s-pond
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_forest_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters