# Farmer Brown’s Boy Wakes with a Start explained — Green Meadow Stories

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

## What happens

Farmer Brown's boy struggles to wake up on a winter morning and falls back asleep, only to have a terrifying nightmare about a monster. He wakes with a yell to find Happy Jack Squirrel in his room, having sought refuge from Shadow the Weasel. Realizing the squirrel's claws caused his dream, he comforts Happy Jack and prepares for breakfast.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Fear

Both Farmer Brown's boy and Happy Jack experience fear—one from a nightmare, the other from a real predator—but find comfort in each other's presence.

### Kindness and Gratitude

Farmer Brown's boy shows kindness by comforting Happy Jack and offering him nuts, while Happy Jack trusts him for safety.

## Character check-ins

### Happy Jack Squirrel

Frightened by Shadow the Weasel, he seeks refuge in Farmer Brown's boy's room and accidentally startles him awake.

### Farmer Brown

Calls Farmer Brown's boy to wake up for his duties.

### Shadow the Weasel

Seen darting down a tree outside the window, having been chasing Happy Jack.

## Key lines

> Never think another crazy just because it happens you Never’ve heard of just the thing that they have started out to do.

Don't assume someone is foolish simply because their actions are unfamiliar to you.

_Opening aphorism encouraging open-mindedness about others' behavior._

> A terrible monster was chasing him. It had great red eyes as big as saucers, and sparks of fire flew from its mouth.

He dreamed of a horrifying creature with enormous glowing eyes and fiery breath pursuing him.

_Description of Farmer Brown's boy's nightmare, later revealed to be inspired by Happy Jack's touch._

> Happy Jack, you little rascal, I believe you are the terrible monster that scared me so!

Farmer Brown's boy realizes that Happy Jack's claws on his face caused his terrifying dream.

_Comic resolution where the 'monster' is identified as the frightened squirrel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters/xxvi-farmer-brown-s-boy-wakes-with-a-start
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters