By Beatrix Potter
Discover the enchanting world of Beatrix Potter’s most beloved creation, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” a timeless story published in 1902 that continues to captivate readers of all ages.
Once upon a time, there were four little rabbits named Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. They lived with their mother in a cozy sand-bank beneath the roots of a grand fir tree.
One bright morning, Mrs. Rabbit announced, “Now, my dears, you may venture into the fields or down the lane, but remember, never go into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Your father had an unfortunate incident there – Mrs. McGregor made him into a pie.”
“Now run along,” she urged, “and please, no mischief. I’m off to the baker’s.”
Mrs. Rabbit, basket and umbrella in hand, headed to the baker’s shop. She purchased a brown loaf and five currant buns for her well-behaved bunnies.
Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, being the good little rabbits they were, hopped down the lane to pick juicy blackberries.
But Peter, always a bit naughty and adventurous, couldn’t resist the allure of Mr. McGregor’s garden. He dashed straight to it and squeezed right under the gate!
His first act of rebellion was indulging in crisp lettuces, tender French beans, and zesty radishes.
Feeling slightly unwell from his vegetable feast, Peter decided to look for some soothing parsley.
As he rounded the end of a cucumber frame, he came face-to-face with none other than Mr. McGregor himself!
Mr. McGregor, busy planting young cabbages on his hands and knees, leaped up and chased after Peter, brandishing a rake and shouting, “Stop, thief!”
Peter was utterly terrified. He darted frantically around the garden, completely disoriented and unable to find his way back to the gate.
In his panic, he lost one shoe among the cabbages and the other amongst the potato plants.
Shoe-less, he ran even faster on all fours, and he might have escaped completely had he not unfortunately become entangled in a gooseberry net. The large buttons on his brand-new blue jacket snagged in the mesh.
Peter thought he was done for. Tears welled up in his eyes, but his sobs were heard by some kind sparrows. They fluttered to him in great excitement, chirping encouragement for him to struggle free.
Mr. McGregor approached with a sieve, intending to trap Peter underneath it. But with a desperate wriggle, Peter escaped just in time, leaving his jacket behind.
He scrambled into the toolshed and jumped into a watering can. It seemed like a perfect hiding place, except it was full of water!
Mr. McGregor was certain Peter was hiding somewhere in the toolshed, perhaps under a flowerpot. He began carefully overturning them, peering underneath each one.
Suddenly, Peter couldn’t suppress a sneeze – “Kertyschoo!” Mr. McGregor was upon him in an instant.
He lunged to stomp on Peter, but the quick rabbit leaped out of a window, knocking over three plants in his escape. The window was too small for Mr. McGregor to follow, and he, exhausted from the chase, returned to his gardening work.
Peter slumped down to rest, breathless and trembling with fear. He was utterly lost and soaking wet from the watering can.
After a while, he cautiously wandered about, going lippity-lippity, not very fast, and constantly looking around.
He discovered a door in a wall, but it was locked, and there was no space for a chubby rabbit to squeeze underneath.
An old mouse scurried back and forth over the stone doorstep, carrying peas and beans to her family in the woods. Peter inquired about the gate, but the mouse had such a large pea in her mouth she could only shake her head and offer no answer. Peter started to cry again.
He then attempted to cross the garden directly, but became increasingly confused. He arrived at a pond where Mr. McGregor filled his watering cans. A white cat sat motionless, intently watching some goldfish. Only the twitch of her tail hinted at life. Peter wisely decided to leave her undisturbed, remembering cautionary tales about cats from his cousin, Benjamin Bunny.
Heading back towards the toolshed, Peter suddenly heard a hoe scraping the ground—scr-r-ritch, scratch, scratch, scritch. He scurried under the bushes for cover. When nothing happened, he peeked out and climbed onto a wheelbarrow for a better view. He saw Mr. McGregor hoeing onions, his back turned towards Peter, and beyond him, the gate!
Peter quietly slid off the wheelbarrow and bolted as fast as his legs could carry him, along a straight path behind some black-currant bushes.
Mr. McGregor spotted him at the corner, but Peter was too quick. He slipped under the gate and found himself safe in the woods outside the garden at last.
Mr. McGregor, in frustration, hung up the little jacket and shoes as a scarecrow to frighten away the blackbirds.
Peter ran without stopping or looking back until he reached the big fir-tree and his cozy home.
Exhausted, he collapsed onto the soft sand floor of the rabbit-hole and closed his eyes. His mother was busy cooking, wondering about his missing clothes. It was the second jacket and pair of shoes Peter had lost in just a fortnight!
Unfortunately, Peter was not feeling well that evening.
His mother tucked him into bed and prepared some soothing camomile tea. She administered a dose to Peter, instructing, “One tablespoonful to be taken at bedtime.”
Meanwhile, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail enjoyed a supper of bread and milk and sweet blackberries.
THE END
“The Tale of Peter Rabbit” is a cherished classic, available as a book for children and families to enjoy together. Share the delightful story of Peter’s mischievous garden adventure and the gentle lessons it imparts. Consider booking “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” for your little ones’ library today and introduce them to the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter’s tales.
