we begin the story with a badger named tommy brock being entertained by old mr. bouncer, the father of benjamin bunny. mr. bouncer has been left with his grandchildren while his son and daughter-in-law are away. soon, after smoking a pipe of rabbit tobacco, mr. bouncer falls asleep while tommy is still there. tommy then proceeds to put the bunnies in his sack and walks out of the house. when the parents return, benjamin bunny goes to look for the thief.benjamin soon finds his cousin peter and brings him along on the rescue adventure. the two of them discover that tommy has invaded one of mr. tod's homes. mr. tod is a fox, he has multiple homes, but he keeps moving. tommy often stays in one of his houses while he's away. the two rabbits peep through the window and see tommy asleep on mr. tod's bed. they move to another window and find the kitchen, and they see that there is a table all set for a meal. they soon realize that the bunnies are alive, but are shut up in the oven. the two rabbits try to dig a tunnel into the house, but they have to hide when mr. tod suddenly arrives in a very, very bad temper.the fox soon discovers the tommy asleep in his bed, and he was about to hit him, but doesn't because the badger has really sharp and dangerous teeth. mr. tod soon then decides to play a trick on him, involving a pail of water balanced on the headboard of the bed. tommy though, is awake and he avoids the trick and decides to make tea for himself in the kitchen. mr. tod thinks that the bucket has killed tommy and decides to bury him in the tunnel that the two rabbits have dug, thinking that tommy was the one to dig it.mr. tod discovers that tommy is in the kitchen and then a violent fight erupts that leads outside. the fox and the badger roll down a hill while still fighting. benny and peter quickly gather the kidnapped bunnies and go back home.
I have been reading a novel by Walter Scott in which in a footnote the author tells his readers that a "todd" is a Scottish word for fox. I always knew that "broch" was the Welsh word for badger and now I know why the two gentlemen in this most delightful of tales are none other than Jimmy Brock and Mister Tod. I loved Beatrix Potter (why the past tense? I still do). I think everyone who loves Beatrix Potter has their favoruite tale and mine is this one. I can think of nothing spontaneously so quintesentially English as her stories from country life, her animation of familiar animals, her exquisite detailed paintings. I suppose I am must be bellicose if this is my favourite tale. It is the most violent of the Beatrix Potter stories. It takes me to an England which time or some hidden hand has done much to banish but in the hearts of millions that world is not gone but slumbers and could be wakened, a world of part fantasy and part reality in which foxy gentlemen lay Heath Robinson like traps for unwelcome uninvited and vulgar guests. We shall never know who had the better of the terrible battle between mortal enemies at the end of the tale. I suspect there is no end to the struggle and eternal animposity between fox and badger. On a more serious note: life is indeed all an eternal struggle, for humans as well as foxes and badgers but it has its lighter moments too and its grace and charm when captured in the eyes of a true artist.
What do You think about The Tale Of Mr. Tod (2002)?
Potter made it clear in the beginning "I have written a lot about well-behaved people. Now,for a change, I am going to make a story about two disagreeable people, called Tommy Brock and Mr. Tod."The story is about the 2 foxes who despise each other. They are equally annoying and conniving. This time one of them got hold Benjamin Bunny's off-springs and intended to make a meal out of them. Our Bunny heroes then have to go to the house of the fox to order save the kids. The story is fine but the villains don't seem to be strong enough to awake those feelings in the heart !!
—Prashant
I found an incomplete set of original edition Beatrix Potter tales (sans P. Rabbit, alas) in the 10 cent bin of my local used bookshop, and was given them by the proprietor. Although the bindings are shot (not surprising after 100+ years), the original illustrations are worth careful page-turning.My quandary: Do I hold onto these gems after I've read them to keep them from further deterioration, or do I pass them on to the wee ones in the family so that they can be shared, pawed over, and further enjoyed? Methinks the latter.
—Dan
This thrilling tale reprises the characters of Benjamin Bunny (now grown, and married to Flopsy) and Peter Rabbit. Mr. Bouncer has been left in charge of his grandchildren ("seven of them, all twins"*) when he foolishly invites in Tommy Brock for a smoke and a cuppa. Such vices lead to disaster, for Mr. Bouncer falls asleep and Brock kidnaps the babies with the evil intention of making a meal of them. Benjamin and Peter race to rescue the children, but the villain is ultimately foiled by his nemesis, Mr. Tod. It's very like the The Da Vinci Code for toddlers, except for being believable with an active hero. Favorite line: the crockery was smashed to atoms.*An archaic meaning of "twins" perhaps?Personal copy
—Kaethe
