Chapter 17 Summary

The Shining Wire

Hazel wakes in the morning to find that Fiver is missing. He and Bigwig search for him and find him feeding alone by the brook. Fiver tells them he is sand and wants to leave right away. Hazel asks Bigwig to give them time to talk alone. Bigwig leaves and is caught in a snare with a copper wire wrapped around his neck. Fiver is sent for help and returns with Blackberry, Dandelion, Silver, Pipkin and Buckthorn. Cowslip refuses to help and warns Fiver not to speak of the snares. The rabbits join together and set Bigwig free, but he appears to be dead.

Bigwig recovers from the snare and wants to go back to the burrow and kill the others, whom he considers cowards. Fiver objects and begins to explain the truth about the warren. Men control the rabbits'...