# II: The Quarrel explained — Green Meadow Stories

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

## What happens

Happy Jack Squirrel and Chatterer the Red Squirrel engage in a loud quarrel over a hickory tree full of nuts. Happy Jack accidentally drops a nut on Chatterer's head, and when Chatterer tries to climb the tree to get some nuts, Happy Jack chases him around the treetop, both calling each other names. Peter Rabbit arrives and covers his ears to avoid hearing the fight.

## Themes in this chapter

### Thrift and Preparation

Happy Jack's greed and desire to keep all the nuts for himself highlights the theme of thrift and preparation for winter.

### Wisdom and Heedlessness

Both squirrels act heedlessly, quarreling instead of wisely sharing or storing the nuts.

## Character check-ins

### Happy Jack Squirrel

Quarrels with Chatterer over the hickory tree, chasing him around the treetop.

### Chatterer the Red Squirrel

Angered by the nut dropped on his head, he tries to take nuts from the tree, leading to a chase.

### Peter Rabbit

Witnesses the quarrel and covers his ears.

## Key lines

> It’s up to you and up to me To see how thrifty we can be.

We all have a personal responsibility to be thrifty.

_Opening verse sets the theme of thrift._

> You keep out of this tree; it’s mine!

Happy Jack claims exclusive ownership of the tree.

_Shows Happy Jack's possessiveness._

> You’re a pig, Happy Jack! You’re just a great big pig!

Chatterer insults Happy Jack by calling him greedy.

_Illustrates the escalating name-calling._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters/ii-the-quarrel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters