Sneaking into the Garden with Peter Rabbit

How a Mischievous Rabbit Took Me on a Little Bible Study

I never thought that Peter Rabbit would drag me along with him not into Mr. McGregor’s Garden, but into the Garden of Eden.

Okay, before I go any further, let me take a step back.

While my first sentence may lead you to believe otherwise, I’d like it to be known that I do not think Peter Rabbit is meant to be a biblical companion. I am not convinced that most writers have secret messages woven into the pages of their books, or that we, as readers, should go out of our way to look for similarities, comparisons and codes in an attempt to unlock hidden meanings. But I do believe that the words we say, read, and write once began in the beginning, with The Word. And as such, certain words, phrases, and images can weave together the disparate stories of our lives.

Whether writers intend it or not, their words frequently become occasions for us to remember snippets from our own lives. Many books are literally sewn together, each individual page joining to form one complete volume, connected by a thread. Likewise, we too are sewn together, connected by the threads of words spoken in ages past. While reading something seemingly unrelatable to our own life, we are often pleasantly surprised to find a certain phrase or word that stands out and strikes us deeply.

Yesterday I realized that never once as an adult (or possibly even an adolescent) have I sat down to reread The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It featured prominently in my childhood, and I have many fond memories of my mother reading it to me and of looking at the pictures, but I don't think I've ever read it myself. I have a boxed set of Beatrix Potter’s original books which I’ve moved many times over the years, but unfortunately, I've never thought to pick up a book and read it. It wasn’t until I was reading Tolkien’s Modern Reading by Holly Ordway that I felt a strong desire and even imperative need to rediscover Beatrix Potter as an adult. While detailing some of the children's books that Tolkien loved best, Ordway noted his strong fondness for The Tale of Peter Rabbit. My curiosity was sparked, and I quickly went to my bookshelf, dug out the little boxed set, and decided to read Peter Rabbit as soon as I could.

So here I am, having just finished reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and I find myself on a sort of euphoric high, smiling with delight and gratitude for such a perfect little book.

As I mentioned before, I’d like it to be known that I wasn't trying to read with Peter Rabbit with an “intellectual” interpretation or with the intent to find something deeper in the simple story. However, as I was reading on a blanket in the sun, blissfully enjoying a warm spring day, a few simple phrases stuck out to me, calling me away from the lighthearted story.

Peter, being a naughty little rabbit, disobeys his mother’s plea to stay out of mischief, and immediately rushes to the forbidden garden once she has turned her back. Though he first enjoys the stolen fruits of his labor, stuffing his face with fresh vegetables, his delight quickly vanishes after Mr. McGregor discovers him, and begins a relentless pursuit. With the terrifying gardener behind him, Peter becomes “dreadfully frightened”¹ and tries to run away. In his flight, he loses both of his shoes; one in the cabbages and one in the potatoes.

Before he broke into the garden, Peter had been walking on his hind legs, in shoes (like the dignified rabbit that he was), however, “after losing them, he ran on four legs.”² As I read this sentence, my mind immediately jumped from the quaint English garden where Peter ran to The Garden.

Peters’ transgression strips him of his dignity and his noble bearing, and where once he walked upright, properly shod, now he crawls on all fours, returning to his original animal behavior. Images both of Adam and Eve noticing their nakedness and the serpent crawling on his belly entered my mind. Transgression always undoes us. It strips us of our baptismal garments and sullies our soul. Peter’s sisters Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail were happy to complete their task of collecting blackberries for dinner, but Peter wasn't content. His curiosity got the better of him and as a result he loses the shoes his mother gave him and is subjected to running on four legs, if only for a short time.

Running frantically, Peter gets enmeshed in a wire fence and despairing, he gives himself up for lost, weeping bitter tears. But all is not lost, for some friendly sparrows happen by and they “implored him to exert himself.”³

For some reason the words “implored him to exert himself” struck me deeply. In his despair, Peter must be implored to get up, to keep going, to not lose hope. Like a sudden gift of grace, the sparrows give Peter just the boost he needs to pull himself up and keep going, even when his effort seems pointless.

Fortified by the help of the friendly sparrows, Peter continues his flight out of Mr. McGregor’s Garden. But as I turned the page, I suddenly found myself in yet another very different garden.

Mr. McGregor came up with a sieve, which he intended to pop upon the top of Peter; but Peter wriggled out just in time, leaving his jacket behind him.⁴

Peter slips away, quickly evading the confrontation. I immediately thought of the disciple who ran away from Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, leaving his clothes behind.

Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.⁵

Now Peter’s transgression has cost him everything. Instead of facing the fearsome Mr. McGregor and owning up to his actions, Peter flees, now stripped completely.

After making it back to his cozy home at the foot of a tree, Peter does finally get his just deserts, or rather he doesn't get any dessert. In bed with the stomachache, Peter must go without bread, milk and blackberries, having to take a spoonful of chamomile instead. In contrast, his sisters are rewarded for their time picking blackberries with a lovely feast. Though his mother doesn't punish Peter (not knowing where he was, or how he lost his jacket and shoes), his actions have rendered him sick and unable to participate in the merriment and festivity that the others can enjoy. For indeed, actions always have consequences, even for little rabbits.

And so now, dear readers, it is our decision.

Will we too sneak into forbidden gardens, abandon our garments, and miss out on the Heavenly Feast?

1. Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, page 29.

2. Peter Rabbit, page 30.

3. Peter Rabbit, page 33.

4. Peter Rabbit, page 34.

5. Mark 14:50-52