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Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox

Chapter 6: THE KIND WILLOW TREE
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 KIND WILLOW TREE

Well, to go back to Little Jack Rabbit and Old Sic’em, who were watching Danny Fox sneak through the trees, as I mentioned two stories ago.

“Oh dear me! There is that dreadful fox again,” sighed the little bunny boy.

“You don’t mean it!” exclaimed the old watchdog, and he told the little rabbit all that I’ve just told you. And when he had finished, he went inside his little doghouse and brought out the tip of Danny Fox’s beautiful bushy tail.

Just then the Kind Farmer whistled from the woodpile, and away hopped the little rabbit to hide in the long meadow grass.

All of a sudden he met Timmy Meadowmouse near his little round house of woven grass, fastened on three stiff stalks.

“Helloa, Little Jack Rabbit. Are you hiding from somebody?” Just then, oh dear me! a big snake crawled out of the ground and away went the little meadowmouse, and away hopped the little bunny, and if Bobbie Redvest hadn’t told me, I don’t believe I ever would have found out where they did go.

Well, by and by, after a while, Little Jack Rabbit came to the Old Duck Pond where Granddaddy Bullfrog sat on his log all day fishing for flies and tiny fishes. Just overhead hung the old willow tree in which little Mrs. Oriole had her nest, fastened like an old stocking to one of the drooping branches.

And if I stop a minute to think, I guess I’ll remember some more friends of the little rabbit. Why, of course. There was Teddy Turtle, who carried his little shell house around with him all the time, and the little Freshwater Crab, and Mrs. Darning Needle, skimming over the water like an airship.

The little rabbit stopped under the shady willow tree and looked about him. It was a warm day and very still, for Billy Breeze had fallen asleep somewhere in the Shady Forest.

Pretty soon Granddaddy Bullfrog dozed off and Mrs. Oriole sang softly to her little ones:

“Little birds within the nest
Some day you will fly away.
Then the weeping willow tree
To the meadow grass will say;
“‘Oh, I feel so lonely now,
An empty nest hangs from my bough.
Must I wait until the Spring
To hear the little birdies sing?’”

And wasn’t Little Jack Rabbit surprised to hear the Willow Tree finish the song.

“Do you remember how you once hid me with your drooping branches from Danny Fox?” he asked.

And the kind willow tree answered softly: “Yes, Little Jack Rabbit.”