Green Meadow Stories · Chapter
Old Man Coyote Plays a Trick explained
Bowser the Hound becomes so focused on chasing Old Man Coyote that he fails to notice he is being led into unfamiliar territory.
What happens
Bowser the Hound becomes so focused on chasing Old Man Coyote that he fails to notice he is being led into unfamiliar territory. Old Man Coyote, a tireless and clever runner, deliberately leads Bowser far from home, then uses a series of long leaps near a river to break the scent trail and hide, hoping to lose the hound.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Trust
Old Man Coyote deliberately deceives Bowser by leading him away from home and using clever leaps to break the scent, illustrating the danger of trusting appearances.
Wisdom and Heedlessness
Bowser's heedless focus on the chase blinds him to the danger of being led into unfamiliar territory, contrasting with Old Man Coyote's calculated wisdom.
Characters to notice
- Old Man Coyote
Plays a trick on Bowser by leading him far from home and breaking the scent trail with long leaps near a river.
- Bowser the Hound
Becomes so absorbed in chasing Old Man Coyote that he is led into strange country and loses the trail.
- Farmer Brown
Mentioned as the owner of the house far beyond Bowser's hearing distance.
Key passages
“Of people who play tricks beware, Lest they may get you in a snare. You cannot trust them, so watch out Whenever one may be about.”
Be cautious of those who deceive, as they may trap you; never trust them and stay alert.
Opening warning about the dangers of tricksters.
“There is such a thing as being too much interested in the thing you are doing. That is the way accidents very often happen.”
Focusing too intently on a task can lead to accidents.
Moral observation about heedlessness.
“Old Man Coyote intended to lead Bowser into strange country and there lose him, hoping that he would not be able to find the way home.”
Old Man Coyote planned to take Bowser to unfamiliar territory and abandon him there, expecting he wouldn't find his way back.
Explanation of Old Man Coyote's trick.