# The Cleverness of Old Man Coyote explained — Green Meadow Stories

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

## What happens

Old Man Coyote encounters Reddy Fox outside Farmer Brown's henyard gate. He deliberately lets Reddy go first to test for danger, demonstrating his cunning and caution.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Trust

Old Man Coyote uses deception to let Reddy Fox unknowingly test the safety of the henyard gate.

### Wisdom and Heedlessness

Old Man Coyote's cautious wisdom contrasts with Reddy Fox's heedless eagerness to enter the henyard.

## Character check-ins

### Old Man Coyote

Displays cleverness and caution by letting Reddy Fox test the henyard gate for traps.

### Reddy Fox

Frustrated and angry after being outwitted by Old Man Coyote; waits to see what happens.

## Key lines

> When there's likely to be danger, always let someone else find it out for you if you can.

If danger is possible, let another take the risk first.

_Old Man Coyote's guiding principle of cunning self-preservation._

> I do believe that fellow didn't know enough to push that gate open

I think that creature was too foolish to open the gate.

_Reddy Fox's mistaken belief that Old Man Coyote is not smart._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters/xii-the-cleverness-of-old-man-coyote
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters