Green Meadow Stories · Chapter
A Pleasant Surprise for Peter explained
Peter Rabbit, exhausted from lack of sleep, dozes off on a sunning-bank despite the danger of predators like Mr.
What happens
Peter Rabbit, exhausted from lack of sleep, dozes off on a sunning-bank despite the danger of predators like Mr. Goshawk. Upon waking, he discovers a pile of sweet clover left for him, which he suspects was placed by Little Miss Fuzzytail after finding her footprint nearby. He eats the clover, feeling it is the sweetest he has ever tasted.
Themes in this chapter
Kindness and Gratitude
Little Miss Fuzzytail's thoughtful gift of sweet clover to Peter, and Peter's heartfelt appreciation, highlight the theme of kindness and gratitude.
Love and Relationships
Peter's dreams of soft eyes and footprints, and his joy at discovering Miss Fuzzytail's gesture, underscore budding affection and romantic interest.
Characters to notice
- Peter Rabbit
Falls asleep on the sunning-bank and wakes to find a gift of sweet clover, suspecting it is from Little Miss Fuzzytail.
- Old Jed Thumper
Mentioned as the cross old rabbit who was being fooled by someone, allowing Peter to sleep undisturbed.
- Little Miss Fuzzytail
Implied to have left the pile of sweet clover for Peter, as evidenced by her footprint near the fern.
- Mr. Goshawk
Mentioned as a potential danger to Peter while he slept on the sunning-bank.
Key passages
“Sticks will break and sticks will bend, And all things bad will have an end.”
Troubles are temporary and will eventually pass.
Opening rhyme sets a hopeful tone for Peter's pleasant surprise.
“My gracious, what a careless fellow I am! It’s a wonder that Old Jed Thumper didn’t find me asleep.”
Peter scolds himself for being reckless enough to fall asleep in a dangerous spot.
Reflects Peter's self-awareness of the risks he took.
“There in the soft earth was a fresh footprint, and it looked very, very much like the footprint of dainty little Miss Fuzzytail!”
Peter finds a footprint that he recognizes as belonging to Miss Fuzzytail.
Confirms Peter's suspicion about who left the clover.