# Lightfoot the Deer — Green Forest Stories character guide > Lightfoot the Deer in Green Forest Stories by Thornton W. Burgess. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lightfoot, Deer **First appearance:** 0002-lightfoot-the-deer ## Snapshot A proud, swift deer whose hard-won wisdom about hunters and hiding is upended by a stranger from the Great Mountain who already knows everything he tries to teach. ## Who they are Lightfoot is the Green Forest's most admired creature, and the little people cannot imagine the place without him. His flaw is a stag's vanity: he assumes he must teach Mrs. Lightfoot the forest's dangers, never guessing she survived hunters on the Great Mountain long before she met him. Their courtship turns his memory of the terrible hunting season into something almost grateful, and it anchors the book's early arc in the question of whether fear can be outlasted. ## Relationships ### [The Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/the_hunter) _rivalry_ The Hunter relentlessly pursues Lightfoot, creating a tense predator-prey dynamic. ### [Mother Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/mother_bear) _social_ Lightfoot and Mother Bear are cautious neighbors who occasionally cross paths in the forest. ### [Paddy the Beaver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/paddy_the_beaver) _friendship_ Lightfoot and Paddy share a peaceful coexistence and mutual respect in the forest. ### [Sammy Jay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/sammy_jay) _social_ Sammy Jay often alerts the forest to Lightfoot's presence, acting as a noisy lookout. ### [Boxer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/boxer) _social_ Boxer is curious about Lightfoot but keeps a respectful distance due to their size difference. ### [Miss Daintyfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/miss_daintyfoot) _romantic_ Lightfoot is deeply smitten with Miss Daintyfoot and courts her during the mating season. ### [The Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/the_hunter) _rivalry_ The Hunter relentlessly pursues Lightfoot, creating a tense predator-prey dynamic. ### [The Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/the_hunter) _rivalry_ The Hunter relentlessly pursues Lightfoot, creating a tense predator-prey dynamic. ### [Sammy Jay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/sammy_jay) _social_ Sammy Jay often alerts the forest to Lightfoot's presence, acting as a noisy lookout. ### [Paddy the Beaver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/paddy_the_beaver) _friendship_ Lightfoot and Paddy share a peaceful coexistence and mutual respect in the forest. ### [Mother Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/mother_bear) _social_ Lightfoot and Mother Bear are cautious neighbors who occasionally cross paths in the forest. ### [Paddy the Beaver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/paddy_the_beaver) _friendship_ Lightfoot and Paddy share a peaceful coexistence and mutual respect in the forest. ## In the story ### [Lightfoot the Deer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/lightfoot-the-deer) The protagonist deer, whose life and struggles are the focus of the chapter. ### [Peter Rabbit Meets Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/i-peter-rabbit-meets-lightfoot) Lightfoot startles Peter and listens sympathetically to his concerns about the ducks' journey, then playfully shows his fierce side. ### [Lightfoot’s New Antlers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/ii-lightfoot-s-new-antlers) Explains to Peter that his antlers are new and grow annually, shedding the old ones in spring. ### [III: Lightfoot Tells How His Antlers Grew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/iii-lightfoot-tells-how-his-antlers-grew) Explains the growth of his antlers and the shedding of the velvet covering. ### [IV: The Spirit of Fear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/iv-the-spirit-of-fear) Lightfoot is mentioned as one of the creatures whose heart is clutched by fear, lying in the closest thicket he can find. ### [Sammy Jay Brings Lightfoot Word](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/v-sammy-jay-brings-lightfoot-word) Lightfoot is the target of the hunter's pursuit, and Sammy Jay finds him to deliver a warning. ### [A Game of Hide and Seek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/vi-a-game-of-hide-and-seek) The main participant in the hide and seek game, using his senses and memory of past hunting seasons to evade the hunter. ### [The Merry Little Breezes Help Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/vii-the-merry-little-breezes-help-lightfoot) Uses the Merry Little Breezes to track the hunter's scent and stays behind him for safety. ### [Wit Against Wit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/viii-wit-against-wit) Uses past experience and cunning to evade the hunter, relying on the wind and his senses. ### [Lightfoot Becomes Uncertain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/ix-lightfoot-becomes-uncertain) Travels cautiously through the Green Forest, relying on the Merry Little Breezes to detect danger, and becomes uncertain about whether the hunter is still following. ### [Lightfoot's Clever Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/x-lightfoot-s-clever-trick) Uses a clever trick to check if the hunter is still following him, then rests behind a brush pile. ### [XI: The Hunted Watches the Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xi-the-hunted-watches-the-hunter) Resting and watching the hunter from a hiding spot behind a brush pile. ### [Lightfoot Visits Paddy the Beaver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xii-lightfoot-visits-paddy-the-beaver) Visits Paddy's pond to escape the hunter, demonstrating caution and wisdom. ### [Lightfoot and Paddy Become Partners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xiii-lightfoot-and-paddy-become-partners) Anxious about the hunting season, he accepts Paddy's offer of partnership. ### [How Paddy Warned Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xiv-how-paddy-warned-lightfoot) Partners with Paddy, rests near the pond, and is anxious about hunters. ### [The Three Watchers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xv-the-three-watchers) Warned by Paddy, hides and watches the hunter from a ridge. ### [Visitors to Paddy’s Pond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xvi-visitors-to-paddy-s-pond) Watches from the hemlock-trees on the ridge, understanding that the hunter spares other animals only to kill him. ### [Sammy Jay Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xvii-sammy-jay-arrives) Mentioned as being seen by the hunter at the pond, though not directly involved in this scene. ### [Sammy Jay Is Modest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xix-sammy-jay-is-modest) Comes out of hiding after the hunter leaves, drinks at Paddy's pond, and expresses gratitude to Sammy Jay for his warnings and help. ### [Lightfoot Hears a Dreadful Sound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xx-lightfoot-hears-a-dreadful-sound) Lightfoot is the hunted deer, growing thin and nervous from the constant threat of hunters. ### [How Lightfoot Got Rid of the Hounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxi-how-lightfoot-got-rid-of-the-hounds) Lightfoot is the central character, fleeing from hounds and hunters, growing exhausted, and ultimately swimming the Big River to escape. ### [Lightfoot's Long Swim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxii-lightfoot-s-long-swim) Lightfoot is exhausted from the chase and struggles to swim across the Big River, nearly drowning before finding a sandbar to rest. ### [Lightfoot Finds a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxiii-lightfoot-finds-a-friend) Exhausted and terrified after being chased by hounds and a hunter, Lightfoot swims across the Big River and finds unexpected kindness from a man. ### [The Hunter Is Disappointed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxiv-the-hunter-is-disappointed) Exhausted after swimming the Big River, Lightfoot finds safety and rest on a friendly man's land. ### [The Hunter Lies in Wait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxv-the-hunter-lies-in-wait) Resting in a shed after his long swim, watched over by a human friend. ### [Lightfoot Does the Wise Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxvi-lightfoot-does-the-wise-thing) Hides in the farmer's shed, wisely staying put until the hunting season ends. ### [Sammy Jay Worries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxvii-sammy-jay-worries) Lightfoot has not been seen for two days, causing Sammy to fear he has been killed. ### [The Hunting Season Ends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxviii-the-hunting-season-ends) Missing and feared dead after being chased by hounds and hunters. ### [The Mystery Is Solved](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxx-the-mystery-is-solved) Mistaken for a swimming tree branch by Mr. and Mrs. Quack; revealed to be Lightfoot crossing the Big River to return home. ### [A Surprising Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxi-a-surprising-discovery) Lightfoot is the central character, experiencing happiness and curiosity after discovering mysterious footprints. ### [Lightfoot Sees the Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxii-lightfoot-sees-the-stranger) Experiences a new, strange unhappiness and longing upon discovering another deer in the Green Forest. ### [A Different Game of Hide and Seek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-different-game-of-hide-and-seek) Now the seeker in a game of hide and seek, driven by longing and impatience to find the beautiful stranger. ### [A Startling New Footprint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-startling-new-footprint) Discovers the rival's footprints and becomes consumed by jealousy and rage. ### [Lightfoot Is Reckless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxv-lightfoot-is-reckless) Becomes reckless and consumed by rage while searching for the stranger from the Great Mountain. ### [Sammy Jay Takes a Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxvi-sammy-jay-takes-a-hand) Searching recklessly for the stranger, making noise that allows the stranger to avoid him. ### [The Great Fight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-great-fight) The protagonist, enraged and determined to fight the stranger for Miss Daintyfoot. ### [An Unseen Watcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxviii-an-unseen-watcher) Fights the stranger for the right to win Miss Daintyfoot's love, ultimately victorious. ### [Lightfoot Discovers Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xxxix-lightfoot-discovers-love) Discovers that his anger and jealousy were actually love for Miss Daintyfoot. ### [Happy Days in the Green Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/chapters/xl-happy-days-in-the-green-forest) Now happily mated with Mrs. Lightfoot, he shows her his favorite spots and recounts his escape from hunters. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters/lightfoot_the_deer - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/green_forest_stories_se/characters