# I: Old Man Coyote Leads Bowser Away explained — Green Meadow Stories

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

## What happens

Old Man Coyote, annoyed by Bowser the Hound's pursuit, leads him on a long chase through the Green Forest and Old Pasture, deliberately leaving an easy trail to lure Bowser far from home into unfamiliar territory.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Trust

Old Man Coyote uses trickery to lead Bowser away, while Bowser's straightforward nature makes him vulnerable to deception.

## Character check-ins

### Old Man Coyote

Annoyed by Bowser's interference, he uses his cleverness to lead Bowser on a chase far from home.

### Bowser the Hound

Eagerly pursues Old Man Coyote, not realizing he is being led into strange country.

## Key lines

> Though great or small the matter prove Be faithful in whate’er you do. ’Tis thus and only thus you may To others and yourself be true.

No matter the task, stay faithful and honest; that is the only way to be true to others and yourself.

_Opening verse contrasting Bowser's earnestness with Old Man Coyote's trickery._

> He just goes straight ahead with the thing he has to do and does it in the most earnest way. Not being tricky himself, he sometimes forgets to watch out for tricks in others.

Bowser is straightforward and earnest, which makes him forget that others might try to deceive him.

_Highlights Bowser's lack of suspicion and Old Man Coyote's cunning._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters/i-old-man-coyote-leads-bowser-away
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters