Green Forest Stories · Chapter
Whitefoot Envies Timmy explained
Whitefoot the Wood Mouse, though growing comfortable in his new home, feels uneasy without a well-stocked storehouse.
What happens
Whitefoot the Wood Mouse, though growing comfortable in his new home, feels uneasy without a well-stocked storehouse. He observes the dangers of the Green Forest by day—Butcher the Shrike, Whitey the Snowy Owl, Reddy Fox, Old Man Coyote, and Terror the Goshawk—and adopts a nocturnal routine like his friend Timmy the Flying Squirrel. Watching Timmy's graceful glides from tree to tree, Whitefoot feels a twinge of envy, wishing he could fly through the air so fearlessly.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Vulnerability
Whitefoot's small size and lack of a storehouse make him vulnerable; he envies Timmy's ability to escape danger.
Friendship and Cooperation
Whitefoot and Timmy become best friends, sharing a nocturnal routine and mutual companionship.
Characters to notice
- Whitefoot the Wood Mouse
Feels envy toward Timmy's flying ability; adapts to a nocturnal schedule for safety.
- Timmy the Flying Squirrel
Whitefoot's friend who glides gracefully between trees, inspiring envy.
- Butcher the Shrike
Seen by Whitefoot near Timmy's tree, a potential predator.
- Whitey the Snowy Owl
Spotted by Whitefoot, indicating he has not yet returned north.
- Reddy Fox
Trots past Whitefoot's home without noticing him.
Key passages
“A useless thing is envy; A foolish thing to boot. Why should a Fox who has a bark Want like an Owl to hoot?”
Envy is pointless and silly; each creature should be content with its own nature.
Opening verse reflecting the chapter's moral about envy.
“He would have felt easier in his mind. He would have had the comfortable feeling that if the weather turned so bad that he could not easily get out and about, he would not have to go hungry.”
Having a stocked pantry would give Whitefoot peace of mind, knowing he wouldn't starve in bad weather.
Whitefoot's anxiety about lacking a storehouse.
“He would nimbly climb to the top of a tree and then jump. Down he would come in a long beautiful glide, for all the world as if he were sliding on the air.”
Timmy would climb high and then leap, gliding gracefully through the air as if riding it.
Description of Timmy's flying squirrel glide.
“I wish I could jump like that. I wouldn’t ever be afraid of anybody if I could jump like that. I envy Timmy. I do so.”
Whitefoot wishes he could glide like Timmy, believing it would make him fearless.
Whitefoot's envious wish to possess Timmy's ability.