Green Meadow Stories · Chapter
Tommy Tit Proves a Friend Indeed explained
Peter Rabbit continues his secret meetings with little Miss Fuzzytail, but Old Jed Thumper discovers their friendship and becomes enraged.
What happens
Peter Rabbit continues his secret meetings with little Miss Fuzzytail, but Old Jed Thumper discovers their friendship and becomes enraged. He tries to have Peter killed by leading fierce Mr. Goshawk to Peter's sunning-bank, but Tommy Tit the Chickadee warns Peter just in time, saving his life.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Tommy Tit proves a true friend by warning Peter Rabbit of danger, and Peter's loyalty to little Miss Fuzzytail is shown through his protective actions.
Deception and Trust
Old Jed Thumper deceives Mr. Goshawk to try to kill Peter, while little Miss Fuzzytail had been deceiving her father about her meetings with Peter.
Courage and Fear
Peter shows courage in saving Miss Fuzzytail and continuing to meet her despite danger; little Miss Fuzzytail lives in fear of her father's wrath and Peter's safety.
Characters to notice
- Peter Rabbit
Peter saves little Miss Fuzzytail from Black Pussy, meets her secretly, and is nearly killed by Mr. Goshawk due to Old Jed Thumper's scheme, but is saved by Tommy Tit's warning.
- Little Miss Fuzzytail
She is rescued by Peter, meets him secretly, and worries constantly about his safety after her father discovers their friendship.
- Old Jed Thumper
The big gray Rabbit and father of little Miss Fuzzytail; he becomes enraged upon learning of Peter and his daughter's friendship and tries to have Peter killed by leading Mr. Goshawk to him.
- Tommy Tit the Chickadee
Proves a true friend by warning Peter Rabbit just in time about Mr. Goshawk's attack, saving Peter's life.
- Mr. Goshawk
Fierce hawk who is tricked by Old Jed Thumper into attacking Peter, but fails because Tommy Tit warns Peter.
- Black Pussy
The cat from Farmer Brown's house who catches little Miss Fuzzytail but is driven off by Peter Rabbit.
Key passages
“Nothing in all the world is so precious as a true friend.”
A true friend is the most valuable thing in the world.
Opening line of the chapter, setting the theme of friendship.
“He chewed and chewed with nothing in his mouth, that is, nothing but his temper, the way an angry Rabbit will.”
He gnashed his teeth in fury, chewing on nothing but his own anger, as rabbits do when enraged.
Describes Old Jed Thumper's rage upon discovering Peter and Miss Fuzzytail's friendship.
“Tommy saw Mr. Goshawk and just in time warned Peter, and so Mr. Goshawk got only his claws full of soft earth for his pains”
Tommy Tit spotted Mr. Goshawk and warned Peter just in time, so Mr. Goshawk only grabbed a handful of dirt.
Climactic moment where Tommy Tit saves Peter's life.