The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Title: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Author: Beatrix Potter

Genre: Traditional Literature

Summary: There were four rabbits, named Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. They all lived with their mother in a sand-bank under the root of a big fir-tree. Mother told the rabbits that they could go into the field or own to the lane while she went out, but not in Mr. McGregor’s garden. She told them that their father had an accident there and was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor. Mrs. Rabbit went out and bought a loaf of bread and five currant buns. All of the rabbits, except for peter went down the lane to gather blueberries. Peter ran straight to Mr. McGregor’s garden. He squeezed under the gate. He ate lettuce, French beans, and radishes but started to feel sick, so he went to look for parsley. Before finding it, he met Mr. McGregor! Mr. McGregor ran after Peter with a rake, yelling “Stop, thief!” Peter couldn’t remember the way out! He lost one of his shows among the cabbages, and the other in the potatoes. Peter ran straight into a gooseberry net and got caught by the buttons on his blue jacket. It was blue with brass buttons. Peter got out of the bush just in time. He got away from Mr. McGregor just in time, but left his jacket behind him. He tried hiding in a can in the tool shed, but it had so much water in it. Peter sneezed and had to run again. He flipped over three plants and finally, Mr. McGregor got tired of chasing him so he went back to his work. Peter sat down to rest and he had no idea which way to go. He was wet from sitting in the can. A mouse came around with peas and beans for her family. Peter asked where the gate was, but the mouse had a large pea in her mouth and couldn’t answer Peter He began to cry. Peter then caught sight of the gate, but Mr. McGregor was on the fields again. He tried to chase Peter, but Peter slipped under the gate and was safe outside of the garden. Peter didn’t look behind him, nor did he stop running until he got to the big fir-tree. Peter’s mother was busy cooking, but she wondered what happened. This was the second jacket and pair of shoes that Peter had lost in a fortnight. His mother put Peter to bed because he wasn’t feeling well. She gave him a dose of chamomile tea, while Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail had bread and blackberries for supper.

Characters: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, Peter, Mrs. Rabbit, Mr. McGregor

Setting: Underneath the root of a big fir-tree, Mr. McGregor’s garden

Plot: Peter needed to get out of Mr. McGregor’s garden safely and back home

Theme: Peter runs away while his brothers listen to their mother

Opinion: I liked reading this story because you never knew what was going to happen with Peter next. It would show children how important it is to listen to your parents/guardians.