Post 5 ; Chapters 21-25

Rabbits trying to escape from the gas in Sandleford warren

Chapter 21: From El-ahrairah to Cry

Captain Holly explains what happened to the Sandleford warren. The day Hazel's group left, men came to the warren, and started plugging the holes with sticks that released gas, which killed many rabbits. Bluebell then describes in great detail how horrible it was inside the warren, with many rabbits trying to escape, but would just run into each other. The few that got out of the warren were shot nearly after they came out. Captain Holly was outside, watching from a distance because he had errands to run. He escaped, along with a few others who were injured. They eventually reached Cowslip's warren, where one of them was killed by Cowslip's group, leaving only Holly and Bluebell. Holly attacked Cowslip, but was told where Hazel's group went. That is when the group found Holly badly injured.

Chapter 22: The Story of the Blessing of El-ahrairah

Holly and Bluebell rest for awhile and their wounds heal quickly. Hazel explains that he saved the mouse because it couldn't hurt to become friends who were enemies with their enemies. Some of the other rabbits still think it's a dumb idea. Hawkbit says that he was talking with another mouse, and told him where a good place to eat was. After eating, the group listens to another story about El-ahrairah from Bluebell. The story foreshadows that the group led by Hazel may have unnatural abilities, and may talk to other animals into doing unnatural things as well.

Hazel finds Keharr injured

Chapter 23: Keharr

Bigwig comes across an injured gull in a hollow. It can barely speak, and Bigwig doesn't understand what he is saying. He gets Hazel, and they eventually figure out that the gull is starving. They get some bugs and worms to feed to the gull, who happily eats all of it. The next day, the gull is somewhat recovered, so Bigwig and Hazel try to convince it to try to help their group, but the gull refuses. After a few days, the gull, whose name is Keharr, is fully recovered and Bigwig has become friends with him. Hazel says that he wanted a bird as a companion because Keharr could fly and find female rabbits for the group so the group can become bigger. Keharr comes back after several days, and says he found a few in a farm at the bottom of the hill. It will take a few days for the group to reach there, so only a few will go on the trip.

Chapter 24: Nuthanger Farm

The group reaches the farm, where they meet a rabbit named Boxwood, who tells them there are some does in the farm. Hazel tells Fiver to keep lookout for a cat that is nearby. Inside the farm, there are two bucks and two does in cages. Hazel tells them about his plan, and they are interested in joining. As that happened, Fiver notices the cat coming, so Hazel tells the rabbits he will let them out later. Hazel and Fiver run under a bank to spend the night there.

Chapter 25: The Raid

The next day, Hazel doesn't want to tell what he did in the farm, but Fiver pressures him to say so. Fiver gets  angry because he thinks Hazel wants to become a showoff. They get several members to come along with them back to the farm. Before they reach there, Fiver warns of danger so Hazel promises to be careful. When the group reaches the farm, Bigwig attacks the cat and scares it off, but suffers some scratches. Blackberry chews through the leather hatches on the cages, but they are not reluctant to go with the group. Two of the rabbits, Boxwood and Clover, eventually go, leaving the other two behind, having to leave quickly because they hear dogs barking. Just as Blackberry starts working on the other hatch, a truck pulls over and a few men come out with guns. While the rabbits run away, Hazel distracts them so they can get away. As Hazel is running away, he is shot in the leg, and crawls into a drain hole, unconscious. The group notices, and some of them go back to tell the others. Fiver realizes that this is the event that was making him feel uneasy earlier. The group notices that they have no does with them, which was their goal in the first place.

Questions/Comments

I've watched the movie of this book several times, and I've always wondered why didn't Captain Holly try to save some of the rabbits from Sandleford? His efforts would probably have been futile, but he is part of the Owsla, and I would think that out of anyone, he would be brave enough to risk his life for the others.

 I wondered why the group put a lot of trust in Keharr. While Bigwig became friends with him, the group has only knew him for a few days, and Keharr has an unusual personality, as well. He said he would look for more does, but could have easily just flown away and never return.

Lastly, I always thought it was weird that the rabbits in the farm agreed so quickly to join Hazel's group. They barely even knew him, but were convinced very easily to go along. The life in the farm must have been very bad for them if that is the case.

That's all for tonight ; updating chapters 26-30 tomorrow.