# XXIX: Farmer Brown’s Boy Takes a Prisoner explained — Green Meadow Stories

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

## What happens

Happy Jack Squirrel is living happily in his new house made by Farmer Brown's boy, visiting him each morning for breakfast. Black Pussy tries to catch him but fails. Farmer Brown's boy, angry that Shadow the Weasel killed three of his pullets, sets a trap and captures Shadow. He brings the caged weasel to show Happy Jack, who is overjoyed to see his enemy imprisoned.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kindness and Gratitude

Farmer Brown's boy shows kindness to Happy Jack by making him a house and feeding him, and Happy Jack shows gratitude by visiting and waking him.

### Deception and Trust

Shadow the Weasel's deceptive and predatory nature leads to his capture, while Happy Jack trusts Farmer Brown's boy for safety.

## Character check-ins

### Happy Jack Squirrel

Living happily in his new house, visiting Farmer Brown's boy for breakfast, and relieved to see Shadow the Weasel captured.

### Farmer Brown

Farmer Brown's boy, who made Happy Jack's house, feeds him, and traps Shadow the Weasel after the weasel kills his pullets.

### Black Pussy

Tries to catch Happy Jack but fails, eventually just glaring at him from the foot of the tree.

### Shadow the Weasel

Captured by Farmer Brown's boy in a trap after killing three pullets; shown to Happy Jack as a prisoner.

### Sammy Jay

Mentioned as one who tells all he knows, likely revealing Happy Jack's location to Shadow.

## Key lines

> The craftiest and cleverest, the strongest and the bold Will make mistakes like other folks, young, middle-aged, and old.

Even the most cunning and powerful individuals are prone to errors, just like everyone else.

_Opening verse foreshadowing Shadow the Weasel's capture._

> He no longer had a single thing to be afraid of.

Happy Jack's fear of Shadow the Weasel is completely gone now that Shadow is captured.

_Happy Jack's relief and joy at seeing his enemy imprisoned._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters/xxix-farmer-brown-s-boy-takes-a-prisoner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters