# Patience and Impatience explained — Green Meadow Stories

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

## What happens

Reddy Fox demonstrates patience while hunting fat hens near the farmhouse, knowing that rushing would spoil his chances. Blacky the Crow watches impatiently from a tree, eager for Reddy to catch a hen so he can benefit. The chapter contrasts Reddy's learned patience with Blacky's impatience.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wisdom and Heedlessness

Reddy Fox's patient waiting is contrasted with Blacky the Crow's impatience, highlighting the wisdom of patience and the heedlessness of rushing.

## Character check-ins

### Reddy Fox

Reddy Fox lies patiently behind a fallen tree and then behind a pile of old boards, waiting to catch a fat hen without alarming the others.

### Blacky the Crow

Blacky the Crow sits impatiently in a tall tree, watching Reddy and wishing he would act quickly.

## Key lines

> Patience is a virtue In a cause that’s right. In a cause that isn’t, It’s a cause for fright.

Patience is good when you are working for a just cause, but if the cause is wrong, patience only leads to trouble.

_Opening verse sets the theme of patience versus impatience._

> Reddy knew that often even his cleverness would not succeed without patience.

Reddy understood that being clever is not enough; he also needed to be patient to succeed.

_Highlights Reddy's learned wisdom._

> Blacky was as impatient as Reddy was patient.

Blacky's impatience matched the level of Reddy's patience, creating a stark contrast.

_Direct comparison of the two characters' attitudes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters/xxxiv-patience-and-impatience
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/green_meadow_stories_se/chapters