# Prickly Porky Takes a Sun Bath explained — Green Meadow Stories

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

## What happens

Prickly Porky, after a long winter, decides to take a sun bath on the doorstep of an old deserted house. Unbeknownst to him, old Granny Fox and Reddy Fox have taken shelter inside that very house after being driven from their home. When Reddy awakens and tries to go outside, he runs into Prickly Porky's quills, getting a painful surprise.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wisdom and Heedlessness

Prickly Porky heedlessly naps on the doorstep of a house he assumes is deserted, unaware of the danger inside.

### Deception and Trust

Old Granny Fox deceives Farmer Brown's boy by moving to the deserted house, trusting that no one will look for them there.

## Character check-ins

### Prickly Porky the Porcupine

Takes a sun bath on the doorstep of the old deserted house, blocking the entrance.

### Old Granny Fox

Moves Reddy Fox into the old deserted house and goes out to watch for Farmer Brown's boy.

### Reddy Fox

Sore and stiff from a gunshot, sleeps in the old house and later runs into Prickly Porky's quills.

## Key lines

> Danger comes when least expected; 'Tis often near when not expected.

Trouble can arrive at any moment, and it is frequently closer than you realize.

_Opening proverb that foreshadows the surprise encounter between Reddy Fox and Prickly Porky._

> Prickly Porky the Porcupine was afraid of nobody and nothing.

Prickly Porky feared no one and nothing at all.

_Highlights Prickly Porky's fearless nature, which leads him to nap carelessly._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters/xxvii-prickly-porky-takes-a-sun-bath
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters