Live Fast, Die Young?

[poliphilo]

I wish I could explain to the rabbits that they're wasting their time trying to dig their way out of their fairly commodious pen and that they wouldn't like it anyway in a world that's full of wild rabbits who wouldn't accept them and predators who'd be only too happy to make their acquaintance.

And then I think- yes, but, if I were offered the choice between an hour spent running free through the lush tall grass and a number of years of untroubled captivity would I necessarily opt for the latter? 

Comments

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

I seem to remember similar debates taking place in Watership Down.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You know I've never read the book. I saw the movie though- and wept- against my better judgement- at the bit where whassisname crosses the rainbow bridge.

Bright Eyes, shining like fi-yah....

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's a really good book! I read it when it came out, and again a few years ago to my son, and thought it had held up very well - even if the rabbits talk like John Mills at times. What you don't get in the film - which I also liked, by the way - are the fairly elaborate lapine mythology and wildlife knowhow. The guy knew his rabbits.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I can cope with characters who talk like John Mills. :)

[artkouros.livejournal.com]

I used to keep turtles. When I found one and put him in my turtle pen he would spend hours circling the perimeter trying to find a way out. Then winter would come and he'd bury himself and hibernate. When he woke up in the spring he was perfectly content, having forgotten that he was being held captive. I wonder if a similar thing happens to rabbits who are born in the pen vs those who are brought to the pen?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Our rabbits spent their early life indoors, then moved to a walled yard and now live in a large shed with regulated access to a fenced in area of grass. Their world has kept on getting bigger and bigger.