About the The tale of Peter Rabbit story
The tale of Peter Rabbit” is the classic story of a curious little rabbit who ventures into Mr. McGregor’s garden, despite being told not to. Follow Peter’s daring escape as he gets into all sorts of trouble!
Written by Beatrix Potter and first published in 1902, this beloved tale has charmed readers for generations. In this article, we share two versions of the story: the full tale and a simplified graded reader for younger English learners. With fun questions at the end, your child will build vocabulary and comprehension while enjoying Peter’s adventure.
For more delightful stories, check out the Studycat Learn English app for interactive lessons, games, and stories.
Let’s pounce into the garden with Peter Rabbit and see how mischief can lead to a great escape!
The story of Peter Rabbit
Once upon a time, there were four little rabbits named Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter. They lived with their mother in a cozy burrow under the roots of a big tree. One day, Mrs. Rabbit warned her children, “You may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Your father had an accident there, and he ended up in a pie!”
Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, being good little bunnies, listened to their mother and went to gather berries in the fields. But Peter, being mischievous and full of curiosity, ignored his mother’s warning and headed straight for Mr. McGregor’s garden.
Trouble in the garden
Peter slipped under the garden gate and began nibbling on lettuces, radishes, and carrots. It wasn’t long before he got a tummy ache from eating too much. Just as Peter was about to leave, who should he see but Mr. McGregor himself!
Mr. McGregor spotted Peter and shouted, “Stop, thief!” Peter, terrified, dashed through the garden, knocking over plants and running as fast as his little legs could carry him. He lost one of his shoes in the cabbage patch and the other shoe in the potato field. Poor Peter was now barefoot and panicking, running wildly through the garden trying to find a way out.
Peter darted into the greenhouse, where he accidentally got caught in a gooseberry net by his jacket buttons. He struggled and wriggled, but he couldn’t free himself. Just when he thought all hope was lost, some friendly sparrows flew down and encouraged him to keep trying. With one last wriggle, Peter managed to escape, but he had to leave his jacket behind in the net.
A narrow escape
Peter ran as fast as he could, zigzagging through the garden with Mr. McGregor hot on his heels. He eventually found his way into a tool shed and hid inside a watering can. Unfortunately, the can was full of water, and Peter got soaked!
Mr. McGregor searched the shed, but he couldn’t find Peter. After a while, Peter sneaked out of the shed and sprinted toward the garden gate. He squeezed under the gate just in time and escaped into the safety of the woods. Mr. McGregor picked up Peter’s little blue jacket and shoes and made a scarecrow to hang in his garden.
A lesson learned
Peter, wet and tired, stumbled back home, where his mother was waiting. She could tell from his state that Peter had been in trouble, but she didn’t scold him. Instead, she sent Peter to bed with a dose of chamomile tea to help his upset tummy, while his good sisters, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, enjoyed a delicious supper of bread, milk, and blackberries.
Peter had learned a hard lesson about disobeying his mother and the dangers of being too curious.
The moral of “The tale of Peter Rabbit”
It’s important to listen to good advice, especially from those who care about you.
Peter Rabbit’s adventure in Mr. McGregor’s garden shows us that curiosity and disobedience can lead to trouble. If Peter had listened to his mother, he would have avoided all the danger and stress he faced. The story teaches us that following wise advice can keep us safe.
Questions about “The tale of Peter Rabbit”
- What did Mrs. Rabbit warn Peter and his sisters about?
- Where did Peter go instead of staying in the fields like his sisters?
- What did Peter eat in Mr. McGregor’s garden?
- How did Peter escape from Mr. McGregor?
- What lesson does Peter learn by the end of the story?
Answers
- Mrs. Rabbit warned Peter and his sisters not to go into Mr. McGregor’s garden.
- Peter went into Mr. McGregor’s garden, even though he was told not to.
- Peter ate lettuces, radishes, and carrots in the garden.
- Peter escaped by wriggling out of a net and running back home through the garden gate.
- Peter learns the importance of listening to advice and avoiding dangerous situations.
Words to learn
- Garden: A place where plants, vegetables, and flowers are grown. Mr. McGregor’s garden was full of delicious vegetables.
- Lettuce: A leafy vegetable often used in salads. Peter ate lettuces in the garden.
- Jacket: A piece of clothing worn over a shirt. Peter left his jacket behind in the garden when he got caught in the net.
- Chamomile tea: A type of herbal tea used to calm and soothe. Mrs. Rabbit gave Peter chamomile tea to help his upset stomach.
- Disobey: To ignore or go against a rule or instruction. Peter got into trouble because he disobeyed his mother’s warning.
What type of story is “The tale of Peter Rabbit”?
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a children’s story that teaches a lesson through Peter’s mischievous adventure.
Who wrote “The tale of Peter Rabbit”?
The Tale of Peter Rabbit was written by Beatrix Potter, a British author and illustrator known for her charming animal characters. Learn more about her here.
When was “The tale of Peter Rabbit” written?
The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published in 1902 by Beatrix Potter.
Who are the main characters in “The tale of Peter Rabbit”?
The main characters are Peter Rabbit, his mother Mrs. Rabbit, his sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, and Mr. McGregor.
What lesson can we learn from “The tale of Peter Rabbit”?
We learn that it’s important to listen to advice and avoid dangerous situations. Peter’s curiosity and disobedience led him into trouble, and the story teaches us that following rules can keep us safe.
”The tale of Peter Rabbit” story for young English learners (ages 2-5, Pre-A1 graded reader)
Once upon a time, there were four little rabbits: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. They lived with their mother in a cozy sand-bank, underneath the root of a big fir tree.
One morning, Mrs. Rabbit said to her children, “You may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Your father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.”
Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail were good little bunnies. They went down the lane to gather blackberries. But Peter was naughty. He ran straight to Mr. McGregor’s garden and squeezed under the gate!
First, Peter ate some lettuce and some French beans. Then he enjoyed some radishes. Feeling rather sick, he went to look for some parsley.
But at the end of a cucumber frame, whom should he meet but Mr. McGregor!
Mr. McGregor jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake and calling out, “Stop thief!”
Peter was very frightened. He rushed all over the garden, for he had forgotten the way back to the gate. He lost one of his shoes among the cabbages and the other shoe amongst the potatoes.
After losing his shoes, Peter ran on four legs and went faster. He might have escaped if he had not run into a gooseberry net and got caught by the large buttons on his jacket. Peter gave himself up for lost and shed big tears.
Some friendly sparrows flew to him in great excitement and implored him to exert himself. Peter wriggled out just in time, leaving his jacket behind him.
Peter never stopped running or looked behind him till he got home to the big fir-tree. He was so tired that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand on the floor of the rabbit hole and shut his eyes.
His mother was busy cooking. She wondered what he had done with his clothes. It was the second little jacket and pair of shoes that Peter had lost in a fortnight!
That evening, Peter was sick. His mother put him to bed and made some chamomile tea. “One table-spoonful to be taken at bed-time,” she said.
But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and blackberries for supper.
The end.
Fun fact!
Did you know? Beatrix Potter was inspired to write “The tale of Peter Rabbit” after telling stories to her former governess’s children in letters. The first letter she wrote, telling the story of Peter Rabbit, eventually became the book we know and love today!
