Green Meadow Stories · Chapter
Bowser's Great Voice explained
Bowser the Hound, now a prisoner of kindness in a new home, uses his deep, clear voice to bay from homesickness.
What happens
Bowser the Hound, now a prisoner of kindness in a new home, uses his deep, clear voice to bay from homesickness. Blacky the Crow, aware of Bowser's plight, feels troubled and decides to seek help from Old Man Coyote, who originally led Bowser into this trouble.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Trust
Old Man Coyote's earlier deception led Bowser into his current predicament, and Blacky considers whether he can be trusted to help.
Kindness and Gratitude
Bowser is a 'prisoner of kindness' in the home of those who took him in, highlighting the theme of gratitude and the complexity of receiving help.
Characters to notice
- Bowser the Hound
Uses his great voice to express homesickness while tied in the yard.
- Blacky the Crow
Observes Bowser's distress and decides to seek Old Man Coyote's help.
- Old Man Coyote
Mentioned as the one who led Bowser into trouble; Blacky plans to ask him for help.
- Farmer Brown
Mentioned as part of Bowser's former home and master.
- Mrs. Brown
Mentioned as part of Bowser's former home.
Key passages
“To long for home when far away Will rob of joy the brightest day.”
Longing for home when you are far away can take all the joy out of even the sunniest day.
Opening verse summarizing Bowser's homesickness.
“There is as much difference in the voices of dogs as in the voices of human beings.”
Dogs have as much variety in their voices as people do.
Introduces the uniqueness of Bowser's voice.
“That dog is homesick... I can’t lead Farmer Brown’s boy over here because he doesn’t understand my talk, and I don’t understand his.”
Blacky realizes Bowser is homesick but feels helpless because he cannot communicate with humans to bring Farmer Brown's boy to Bowser.
Blacky's frustration at being unable to directly help Bowser.