My late father remembered it, when those men first started cutting down our trees... to build their brick and glass boxes. It was called the Oath of Mutual Protection.
EEveryone
Oath of Mutual Protection?
... Terrorize or consume one another.
Not... eat... one another? Who's the sssnake supposed to survive?
Quite. So if you'll all raise your right paw... [Owl looks at her wings] or claw. [Owl raises her right wing] And repeat after me. I, name of animal.
EEveryone
I, [Fieldmouse, Rabbit, Hare, Squirrel]
EEveryone
Do solemly swear...
EEveryone
Not to swallow anybody.
Not to swallow... [whispering] Except when nobody's looking.
...While on route to this place of Toad's. Toad will obviously be our guide on your journey.
Um, just guide, I think, Toad. But, Toad is right. We will need a leader. Someone we can look up to. Someone cunning and courageous and...
Preferably not a snake? Ahahahaha! [Everyone laughs, except Adder who glares at Weasel] Joking! [gulps]
I therefore nominate... Fox, to be our leader.
Mr. HareHuh?! Are you off your trolley?!
[scared] Fox? But why Fox?
No, no, no, no, Fox has all the right qualities, Hare. He's an experienced traveler, er, roams far and wide over all sorts of terrain and he's used to scavenging.
Oh, don't be like that, Owl. We can't all be leader. Now, I'm sure we've got lots of things to do before we leave [Rabbit, Hedgehog, Fieldmouse and Squirrel leave], eating our last few berries and, er, cleaning our fur coats. So just don't forget... midnight!
We meet by the Great Beech of midnight.
EEveryone
Midnight! Midnight! Midnight at the Great Beech! Midnight at the Great Beech!
[Fox, Badger and Adder leave. Then Adder eats one of the glow worms]
Don't panic! Those newts are on their last legs!
[checks up on the newts] What's wrong?
NMrs. Newt
Our baby's dying.
NMr. Newt
If we don't find water soon, we'll all die.
FMr. Fieldmouse
I can face it! Tell me, are we all going to die, Fox?
Probably! Ahahahaha! Want to take bets on it?
Mr. Hare
Perhaps we should go back.
No one's going back. There's nothing to go back for.
[The animals are faced with a motorway]
SMrs. Shrew
See? They only think of themselves. How are we supposed to cross a road like that?!
We can't trust the larger animals.
Mr. Hare
The only time you smaller animals have ever got into trouble is when you've left the group!
HMrs. Hedgehog
Come on, dear!
Whatever you do...dearest...don't...curl up!
[Both Mr. and Mrs. Hedgehog are curled up into a ball, and they get run over by a lorry, crushing and killing them.]
[about the hedgehogs] ...She wouldn't leave him.
Mr. Hare
What happened?
Instincts got the better of them. And instincts can be very strong, matey. I should know.
[flying nearby] Kee! Kee!
Everyone else either has been carried or has run over the road.
Or, has been run over! I've got eyes to see!
Those cowering hedgehogs just curled up and died.
Well, I've no desire to commit suicide.
You want us... all of us, to all go and live in the warden's cottage?
Yes, look at me! My fur's shiny, I'm well fed...
Mr Hare
The old fool's off his trolley!
Gone soft... in the brain.
We couldn't go and live in a house!
No the birds, I'm afraid.
I say you should go home and get some sleep! You'll feel better in the morning.
Oh I see, you think I'm rambling do you? Tch, I don't know why I bothered. Stayed in the warmth, food before me. Well, that'll teach me to think of my so-called friends, didn't even come to meet me.
But... we didn't know you were coming!
Badger... where are you going?
Home, like Fox said! To the warden's house! (he leaves)
Mr Hare
Excuse me, but I think this calls for a general meeting!
Scarface! I should have dealt with him earlier.
The hares weren't on Farthing Land. He's within his rights.
Oh he's very spiteful, isn't he Measley?
Ooh yeah, I'd say spite incarnate he is.
But what to doooo? To dooo?
Mr Hare
I know what I'm going to do... I'm bringing my family back to live on Farthing Land that's what.
Mr Hare
(about Scarface) He's going to kill every Farthing creature he can find!
And I know who'll he'll ask where to look! Got to hide! Got to hide!
What do you have to hide for? Scarface isn't interested in you!
He might think I'm not me!
Ahahahaha! And if I thought I looked anything like you I'd die! Think you're me indeed, what a cheek!
(hyperventilating) Well he might! I wouldn't be able to tell him anything useful, and then he'd get angry and tear me limb from limb! (sobs)...I wouldn't like that.
He's bound to find you if you make such a racket, and he'll find me as well! Oh, go and find your own hiding place!
Mr Hare
It's strange! Scarface attacking in daylight. You would've thought he'd have waited till night!
Hmm. Perhaps he knows something about our watch!
What do you mean Friendly?
Perhaps he know's Charmer's on duty through the day!
Friendly, enough! Let's not fight amongst ourselves!
She and Ranger are the weak link Father! He's probably told Scarface everything!
Scarface is defeated. He won't be back.
If he comes, he'll come alone. There's no heart for a fight amongst the rest. I think Ranger saw to that.
Mr Hare
(about Fox) He should've finished him!
SMrs Squirrel
I say, it's as well for us Fox hasn't got the killer instinct, or where would we be?
The Animals of Farthing Wood · 294 quotes
