J. Thurber

The Rabbits Who Caused All the Trouble

Within the memory of the youngest child there was a family of rabbits who lived near a pack of wolves. The wolves announced that they did not like the way the rabbits were living. (The wolves were crazy about the way they themselves were living, because it was the only way to live.) One night several wolves were killed in an earthquake and this was blamed on the rabbits, for it is well known that rabbits pound on the ground with their hind legs and cause earthquakes. On another night one of the wolves was killed by a bolt of lightning and this was also blamed on the rabbits, for it is well known that lettuce-eaters cause lightning. The wolves threatened to civilize the rabbits if they didn’t behave, and the rabbits decided to run away to a desert island. But the other animals, who lived at a great distance, shamed them, saying, “You must stay where you are and be brave. This is no world for escapists. If the wolves attack you, we will come to your aid, in all probability.” So the rabbits continued to live near the wolves and one day there was a terrible flood which drowned a great many wolves. This was blamed on the rabbits, for it is well known that carrot-nibblers with long ears cause floods. The wolves descended on the rabbits, for their own good, and imprisoned them in a dark cave, for their own protection.

When nothing was heard about the rabbits for some weeks, the other animals demanded to know what had happened to them. The wolves replied that the rabbits had been eaten and since they had been eaten the affair was a purely internal matter. But the other animals warned that they might possibly unite against the wolves unless some reason was given for the destruction of the rabbits. So the wolves gave them one. “They were trying to escape,” said the wolves, “and, as you know, this is no world for escapists.”

Moral: Run, don’t walk, to the nearest desert island.

1. Can you define the genre of the story? Advocate your opinion by pointing out the typical features of the genre which the text displays.

2. The time of the action is indicated as “within the memory of the youngest child.” When does the action seem to take place?

3. Do you think the story is intended for little children? Which words children would not probably understand? In what sphere of communication are such words likely to be used?

4. What audience is the story intended for?

5. Who do the rabbits and the wolves represent?

6. What is the general tone of the story? Go back to the text and point out the means which create such effect.

7. Have a closer look at the moral. Will it be of any help in interpreting the author’s message?

8. Think of a real modern day or historical event which is similar to the one described in the story.

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J. Thurber

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