# The Difference Between Being Inside and Outside explained — Green Meadow Stories

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

## What happens

Reddy Fox sneaks into Farmer Brown's henyard to steal a chicken, but a mischievous Night Breeze swings the gate shut, trapping him inside. As he panics, Old Man Coyote appears outside the fence, free and mocking, advising Reddy to never take a risk when he can get someone else to take it. The chapter contrasts the feelings of being inside versus outside, highlighting Reddy's shift from contentment to fear and despair.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Trust

Old Man Coyote's advice to Reddy—'Never take a risk when you can get someone else to take it for you'—underscores a cynical, deceptive worldview.

### Courage and Fear

Reddy's shift from confident anticipation to frantic fear when trapped inside the henyard illustrates the theme of fear overwhelming courage.

## Character check-ins

### Reddy Fox

Trapped inside Farmer Brown's henyard after the gate swings shut, shifting from contentment to fear and despair.

### Old Man Coyote

Appears outside the fence, free and grinning, mocking Reddy and offering cynical advice before trotting away.

### Bowser the Hound

Mentioned as having disappeared, contributing to Reddy's initial sense of safety.

### Farmer Brown

The henyard and henhouse belong to Farmer Brown; his boy is expected in the morning.

## Key lines

> You’ll find ’twill often come about That he who’s in fain would be out.

It often happens that someone inside wishes they were outside.

_Opening couplet setting up the chapter's central contrast._

> Never take a risk when you can get someone else to take it for you.

Always let someone else take the dangerous chances.

_Old Man Coyote's cynical advice to the trapped Reddy Fox._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters/xiv-the-difference-between-being-inside-and-outside
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters