Chapter Eight Synopsis of Discussion
Week of August 26, 2007
Chapter 8 – Wild-Heifer’s Supper Party
This chapter has a lot going on. The ongoing battle to protect her head from
Squirrel...and then, what I think is funny, Miss Hickory lectures Squirrel on
not being able to store his winter food, that he needs to not eat it all while
gathering it. However, when Miss Hickory is out skating in the woods--to gather
her own winter stores--she spends the entire time eating it!
She then checks in on the Pea Hens, finds them doing quite well and heads to the barn in time to be almost run over by Wild Heifer who is enroute to have dinner with Fawn.
Interestingly enough she does admit to having been peevish to Mr. Willard
T-Brown, and how if she hadn't she could have been spending more time in the
barn.
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Yes, I did have to laugh when I read where she ate her own food she
had gathered! This certainly was a food-centric chapter!
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I feel bad that Miss Hickory is so vulnerable to Squirrel. I don’t think he intends harm toward Miss Hickory, but she will always be nervous of his intentions. I love the way she stands up to him and speaks in that sharp little voice. If she were meek and mild, I am sure he would have lost interest in her and eaten her head long ago. I love the picture in the book of Squirrel in Miss Hickory’s nest. If she weren’t so nervous of him, she might have enjoyed the warmth of that nice Squirrel fur around her during the snowstorm.
Miss Hickory seems very content as she skates along on her outing for
berries. She seems to have everything she needs: a comfortable nest for her
home, a beautiful forest to explore on her outings, food of all varieties for
all seasons, and her animal friends.