Xavier's Blog

This is a story I had to write for English, it is a prequel to Watership down


Writers Intention.
To show why the Character General Woundwort from Watership Down is such a cold hearted brute.


Attack on the Warren

A loud sound filled the early morning air. An ear splitting screech echoed through the tunnels of the Warren.

Woundwort’s eyes flickered open. His peaceful dreams of green pastures shattered by the essence of reality. Woundwort slowly rose from his place of rest and staggered to the side of the small dark hole that surrounded him. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, a black figure on the opposite side of the tunnel grew clearer.

Woundwort slowly moved closer to the still figure. He did not know what it was but a familiar smell entered his head with each breath the smell of blood. He brushed his nose against the figure and pulled back with a sharp yelp. He had brushed up against wet fur…

Warm wet fur.

Another loud shot pierced the air. Woundworts long rounded ears pricked up at the sound. Each strand of His fur tensed as the sound echoed through the Warren. As the echoes of the shot faded into the darkness a soft call could be heard. The call faint and comforting grew louder with each passing moment until a familiar sound could be heard.

“Worty! Worty!”

“Mom?” Woundwort yelled, “Mom is that you?”

“Worty! Worty!” His Mother wailed, “We have to leave!”

Woundwort ran to the sound of his Mother’s voice. Within a short while he burst into an open clearing. As Woundwort looked around he saw the sun rising which tainted the sky blood red.

“Worty? Thank goodness you are alright!”

Woundwort spun around to see his mother standing limply. Her thick brown fur blotched with dark red stains. But her looked into her eyes, in her eyes he saw in pain, he saw courage. Beside her lay a body, lying on its side. Every few seconds it’s arteries let go of another pulse of blood which drenched the surrounding grass with blood.

“Who is that...?” Woundwort whimpered.

Woundwort’s words faded away as a sharp piercing howl cracked through the morning air.

“Worty you have to leave,” A stern look appeared on her face, “The hunters are here. Leave now! Head for the Downs I will meet you there...”

“Who is that…?” Woundwort crept towards the body, “No… It couldn’t be”

“Yes...Yes Worty it is... But you must leave now!”

Woundwort couldn’t move. He didn’t want to move. He stared deep into his father’s clouded eyes.

“Woundwort! Leave Now!”

Woundwort slowly turned his body around and walked past entrance of the warren and towards the forest that enclosed it.

Another shot rang in Woundworts ears. Woundwort jumped but not because of the shot. He jumped because of a loud growling that had echoed after the shot.

Suddenly a large beast tackled Woundwort biting him on the neck. Woundwort tried to yell for help but the pain from the jaws held back his scream. His vision slowly dissolved into black and only sound could be heard. A slight cry sounded from behind him and the jaws released their grip. As Woundworts vision returned he saw his mother in fierce combat with a Dog.

“Worty run!” She Cried

A surge of anger filled Woundwort, He look at his mother he felt no pity. She hadn’t cared enough to save his father, why should he care enough to help her. He turned and ran.

As he reached the edge of the surrounding forest he turned his head back towards his mother and saw the dog deliver the final blow. With its jaws wrapped around her head, it snapped them together with a frightful force. A bone shattering crunch echoed throughout the field. Woundwort looked on, he felt only anger. The family that had cared for him, had been split. All that he knew and love had changed…Forever…