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Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox

Chapter 30: THE SNOWMAN
By David Cory
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About This Book

An episodic children's tale traces a small rabbit whose ill-advised visit to a cunning fox sets off a string of short adventures. Each chapter presents a particular incident—chases involving a farmer's boy and his dog, hideouts, traps, winter frolics, and rescues—where wit, community help, and quick escapes turn danger into learning moments. Repeated motifs of bravery, resourcefulness, and friendship among woodland creatures guide the narrative, balancing light suspense with reassuring resolutions and a recurring return to home.

THE SNOWMAN

Old Danny Fox, with his two small sons,
Stood just outside his den;
The snow was nearly two feet deep
In the Shady Forest Glen.
But they didn’t care, they had such fun
Making a snowman with a gun,—
A great big stick they had found close by,—
That pointed right up to the cold blue sky.

Yes, sir! Danny Fox was very kind to Bushytail and Slyboots, and although the Little People of the Sunny Meadow and the Shady Forest didn’t like him, Mrs. Fox and her two little cubs did. Oh my, yes!

Almost every day he brought home something nice to eat; sometimes a nice fat pullet from the farmyard; sometimes a tender rabbit.

“I saw Little Jack Rabbit last night, my dear,” said the crafty old fox to his wife as he pushed a piece of coal in the snowman’s round face for an eye. “But I couldn’t get near enough to catch him. My, but he’s a wise little bunny,” and Danny Fox began to whistle:

“If you want to catch a rabbit
You must have a crafty habit,
For he’s timid, very timid,
And keeps a bright lookout;
So if you want to catch him
You must never, never shout.”

Pretty soon he remarked that he must make a call over at the farm, and winking at Mrs. Fox, he ran off. After a while he reached the Big Red Barn where the Weathercock turned around every time Mr. North Wind whistled.

“Now, let me think,” said Danny Fox to himself. “All the chickens are safe in the Henhouse; how am I to get in?”

Just then Mr. Longtooth Rat looked out of the barn. Maybe he had heard Danny Fox whispering to himself.

“There’s a loose board on the back of the Henhouse. Why don’t you pull it off?” And then that bad old rat grinned, for he didn’t care whether the poor chickens were eaten by that old fox. In fact, if they were, there’d be more corn for him. Wasn’t that selfish? Well, I just guess it was, but there are lots of selfish people in this old world, and that’s the reason every little boy and girl should learn to always save a piece of candy for mother. Then they’ll grow up to be good men and women.

Well, anyway, in a minute or two crafty Danny Fox sneaked around to the rear of the Henhouse, for he didn’t want Old Sic’em, the farmer’s dog, to see him. No sooner had he pulled on the loose board than he began to smile.

“I hope Old Sic’em won’t hear me,” he said, as he pushed his nose in the crack and gave a great shove. Then, Oh, dear me! I mean, Oh, how glad I am! The rusty nails made a dreadful noise—such a dreadful noise that you could hear them in the next story.