# A Rabbit Story explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

At a social gathering a quarter century ago, a member from a distance was asked to tell his Rabbit story. The narrator later versified the tale: Mr. Romley told how rabbits of various colors played around his door, but cats caught most of them. One big black rabbit survived by diving underground until the owner shot it for fat. When the police heard the gun, he ran in a rage but calmed after receiving a quarter of the rabbit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Community and Social Gatherings

The story is set at a social society gathering where members share tales.

### Agriculture and Rural Economy

The rabbit is shot for fat, reflecting rural subsistence practices.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. W. D. Grant

Likely the member from a distance who told the Rabbit story; referred to as 'our friend, Mr. Romley' in the verse.

## Key lines

> At a social society gathering, a quarter of a century ago, a member from a distance was called on by the gentlemen present to tell his Rabbit story.

At a social gathering twenty-five years ago, a visiting member was asked to share his rabbit tale.

_Sets the scene for the story._

> All but one big black Rabbit, He got into the habit Under ground he would dive⁠— He long time did survive, ’Till owner, wanting fat pot, He this great beast then shot.

Only one large black rabbit survived by hiding underground until the owner shot it for its fat.

_Climax of the rabbit story._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/a-rabbit-story
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters