The Animals of Farthing Wood quotes

Come on, dear!

Mr. Hedgehog

I... I... I can't!

Please...

Mr. Hedgehog

Don't...curl up...

Please!

Mr. Hedgehog

Whatever you do...dearest...don't...curl up!

Oh no!

Vixen

[about the hedgehogs] ...She wouldn't leave him.

Mr. Hare

What happened?

Mrs. Hare

Why didn't they run?

Toad

Instincts got the better of them. And instincts can be very strong, matey. I should know.

Kestrel

[flying nearby] Kee! Kee!

Fox

She's found Adder!

Owl

Everyone else either has been carried or has run over the road.

Adder

Or, has been run over! I've got eyes to see!

Owl

Those cowering hedgehogs just curled up and died.

Adder

Well, I've no desire to commit suicide.

Owl

Then let me take you.

Owl

Reflect, Adder, on the ancient wisdom expressed in the phrase 'Better to lose one's dignity than to lose one's life'.

Adder

I won't lose either if I stay here, which is exactly what I'm going to do, you pompous bundle of feathers! Because no one can force me to do anything I don't wisssh to!

Mrs. Rabbit

And we're alright. The vegetables are beautiful. I've never seen a nicer young cabbage.

If something's wrong just don't tell me!

Owl

You are standing on poisoned land. It's in the ground we walk on, the air we breathe, and the plants which seem so luscious are probably deadly!

Weasel

AAAGH!

But.. but how?

Owl

It was done deliberately.

Fox

The farmer! I knew I recognized that smell.

Owl

He keeps the poison hidden from his own kind. There are some things even humans don't approve of.

Mr. Hare

[about the humans growing cabbages with pesticides on them] But what will they do with the cabbages?

Owl

Eat them!

Toad

Won't they die too?

Owl

Who knows? Perhaps very slowly.

Owl

Humans have a saying; One man's meat is another man's poison. Goodness knows what they've done to these apples!

Fox

Let's hope for their sakes they've got strong stomachs.

Mr Vole

Owl thinks all the animals and plants are poisoned.

Adder

Except you of course!

Fox

Adder!

Adder

Jussst teasing.

Owl

Hunger's stronger than any oath.

Toad

Owl's right. Instinct will out. I should know.

Adder

If Whistler doesn't get back soon, I'll eat... [eying mole]

Mole

The Oath!

Adder

I'd eat that if it was on four legs, or even two!

Adder

You do that deliberately!

Whistler

Not at all, and look I brought you food.

Adder

I forgive you.

Owl

The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Well, it is!

Fox

You'll do as I tell you, or else.

Weasel

Or else what?

Fox

Or else I'll bite your head off.

Mrs. Hare

[about Mr. Rabbit] He does look dreadful.

Mr. Hare

He always looks dreadful!

Weasel

Step on a crack, break your father's back! Step on a line, you're doing fine!

Weasel

Sorry! Thought you were a crack in the pavement!

Adder

Then you ssshouldn't have stepped on me. You'll get bad luck!

Weasel

Not me! I'm the luckiest weasel in the whole wide world! The luckiest weasel...

Weasel

AAAGH!

Adder

Sssee? What did I tell you?

Mole! It's all your fault!

Toad

Well, at least it isn't mine for a change, eh mateys?