Not What It Seems

In our area today begins Halloween Weekend; in the spirit of the day (pun intended), step into my blog…where things aren’t always what they seeeem….

Today we will discuss Watership Down, by Richard Adams. If you’re not familiar with Watership Down, you might think this is a children’s book about bunnies. Remember, things aren’t always what they seem!

Watership Down is an animal adventure that will have you rethinking those cute, fuzzy creatures eating through your flowerbed. This thoroughly grown-up story begins with Fiver, an oddball rabbit with the gift of sight, receiving a vision that the peaceful warren where he, his family, and friends live will be destroyed. Fiver’s brother and protector, Hazel, believes him, and they set out to convince the leadership of the warren that they must move away from this dangerous place. But those in power will not listen; the rabbits’ rigid caste system does not give Fiver and Hazel the influence to reach the leaders. So they set out on their own.

Hazel convinces a few friends, and, along with some of the warren’s cast-offs, they leave to find a new home. This new warren is Watership Down. (A “down” is a British word for open, rolling hills; this down is near a place called Watership. The name has nothing to do with a ship, a battle, or water. This seems to be a point of confusion in a few blogs I have read!)

As the rabbits make their way to their new home, they must cross a river, navigate railroad tracks, defend themselves against predators, escape hunters and horrible weather, find food and shelter, and rescue friends from a power-hungry leader of a rival warren.

Rabbits are easily confused, always on the alert, and often unfocused. They are also fierce fighters with an iron will to survive. Well aware of their precarious position on the foodchain, they dream of a day when they can live in calm and safety.

Their journey is exciting, memorable, and inspirational. I recommend this book to adults and older teens. The pace of the story is marvelous; Adams writes beautiful, peaceful descriptions of rabbits at ease in their holes, and then surprises the reader with fierce, powerful battle scenes.

One of the rabbits’ joys of life is settling into their snug, dry warren, after a good meal to listen to a story. The rabbits of Watership Down love to hear folktales. They take courage and learn lessons from great heroes of the past.

I think we can learn something from these rabbits. Many times the stresses of life leave us feeling hunted and defenseless. We are searching for a place of rest and peace. Let’s not forget that all we really need is a comfortable, dry home, surrounded by friends and family – and a good story. 

What stories bring you comfort in the stress of life?