Fables of the Green Forest facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids 山ねずみロッキーチャック (Rocky Chuck the Mountain Rat)
Fables of the Green Forest
Fables of the Green Forest poster
Genre	Adventure
Anime television series
Directed by	Masaharu Endō
Produced by	Shigehito Takahashi Yoshinobu Nishizaki (uncredited) Junzō Nakajima
Written by	Yūji Tanno
Music by	Seiichirō Uno
Studio	Zuiyo Eizo, Mushi Production
Network	Fuji Television
English network	^CA TVOntario Knowledge Network ^IE Raidió Teilifís Éireann ^UK ITV ^ZA SABC2
Original run	7 January 1973 – 30 December 1973
Episodes	52

Fables of the Green Forest (known in Japan as 山ねずみロッキーチャック (Yama Nezumi Rokkī Chakku), meaning "Rocky Chuck, the Mountain Rat") is a fun anime TV series. It's based on a series of books written by Thornton W. Burgess in the 1910s and 1920s. The show first aired in Japan on Fuji Television from January 7 to December 30, 1973.

There are 52 episodes in total. The animation studios Zuiyo Eizo and Mushi Production created the series. It was part of a special TV block called Calpis Comic Theater, which later became known as World Masterpiece Theater.

This TV show became very popular around the world! It was shown in many countries outside Japan. These included Italy, Germany, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Venezuela, and the United Kingdom. It also aired in Canada, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Ireland, Israel, and many more places.

In Canada, the series was released by ZIV International in 1978. Later, in the 1990s, a second English version called Friends of the Green Forest aired on TVOKids. In the United Kingdom, the show's original broadcast on ITV was cut short. Only the first 30 episodes were shown in 1982. This happened because a new children's TV service, Childrens ITV, started in January 1983. Some other episodes were shown later on Channel 4 in the early 1990s.

About the Green Forest Adventures
- Working Together in the Forest
Meet the Green Forest Characters
Episodes of the Series
Music of the Show
See also

About the Green Forest Adventures

This TV series follows the exciting adventures of a woodchuck named Johnny (or Rocky). He lives in the lovely Green Forest with his mate, Polly. They meet many different animals and make lots of friends.

Working Together in the Forest

All the animals in the Green Forest work together. They help each other stay safe from dangers. These dangers include predators like humans, weasels, and foxes. The stories show how they solve problems and live together.

Meet the Green Forest Characters

The Green Forest is full of interesting animal characters. Here are some of the main ones you'll meet:

Johnny Chuck, a woodchuck, also known as Rocky
Polly Chuck, Johnny's mate
Peter Rabbit, a quick and clever bunny
Uncle Billy Possum, who sometimes plays dead
Chatterer the Red Squirrel, a very talkative squirrel
Bobby Raccoon, who wears pants and suspenders
Reddy the Fox, a cunning predator
Sammy Jay, a noisy blue jay
Grandfather frog, a wise old frog
Old man toad, another wise amphibian
Buster the bear, a friendly black bear
Red tail hawk, a bird of prey
Harry Mink (called Billy in the books)
Jimmy Skunk, who can spray a smelly defense
Tom, Farmer Brown's son
Bowser the hound, Farmer Brown's dog
Joe Otter, a playful otter
Paddy Beaver, a busy builder
Danny Meadowmouse, a small and timid mouse

Episodes of the Series

The series has 52 episodes, each telling a new story about the Green Forest animals. Here are some examples of the adventures they have:

#	Title	Air date
1	"Spring Comes to the Green Forest"	7 January 1973 (1973-01-07)
The series begins with Johnny and his friends getting ready for the Spring Festival. They need to find a special spring term to bring spring to the forest.
2	"Johnny Grows Up"	14 January 1973 (1973-01-14)
It's time for young animals to leave their parents. Johnny's dad agrees, but his mom worries because Johnny can be clumsy.
3	"Johnny Builds His Home"	21 January 1973 (1973-01-21)
Johnny arrives in the Green Forest and needs to dig a burrow for his home. It's not easy, especially with Reddy Fox around. Luckily, Polly helps him.
4	"Huge Tracks in the Forest"	28 January 1973 (1973-01-28)
A giant creature scares everyone in the forest. Johnny meets it first, but others don't believe him. It turns out to be a friendly bear named Buster.
5	"Buster Bear Comes to the Green Forest"	5 February 1973 (1973-02-05)
Buster is accepted by most animals, but Joe Otter and Harry Mink are upset he took their fish. This leads to Buster hunting other animals until Joe realizes the fish aren't just his.
6	"The Monster of Poplar Hill"	12 February 1973 (1973-02-12)
A porcupine named Prickly arrives, along with a strange rolling creature. Reddy tries to fight it but gets scared. The "monster" saves Peter Rabbit and is revealed to be Prickly, a friend of Buster.
7	"Mischievous Chatterer"	19 February 1973 (1973-02-19)
Chatterer plays a mean prank, and when the Mean Weasel appears, most want to get rid of Chatterer. Johnny convinces them to work together to drive the weasel away.
8	"Paddy Beaver Comes to the Forest"	26 February 1973 (1973-02-26)
The Laughing Brook dries up, causing trouble for aquatic animals. They discover Paddy the beaver is building a dam. Though he means no harm, Joe is unhappy until the creek refills.
9	"The Troublesome Four"	5 March 1973 (1973-03-05)
Uncle Billy misses his family, and the animals plan a party for him. Reddy Fox, Sammy Jay, Blackie the Crow, and Mean Weasel team up to ruin it, but Grandfather Frog warns everyone.
10	"Bob the Quail"	12 March 1973 (1973-03-12)
Bob the Quail and his wife build a hidden nest. Their chicks hatch and learn to survive, but one cocky chick plays in the open, where Granny and Reddy Fox are waiting.
11	"Sammy's Revenge"	19 March 1973 (1973-03-19)
Chatterer hides at Mr. Brown's farm. Sammy Jay raids the human orchard. Chatterer tries to claim it, leading to pranks and trouble with Bowser and Blackie the Cat.
12	"Johnny's Secret Door"	26 March 1973 (1973-03-26)
Reddy finds Johnny's secret exit, forcing Johnny to build a new one. Polly gets lost, but Johnny finds her.
13	"A Gun in the Forest"	2 April 1973 (1973-04-02)
After Reddy raids his chicken coop, Tom Brown decides to hunt Reddy with his dog Bowser to stop him for good.
14	"Peter the Rabbit of Thorn Estate"	9 April 1973 (1973-04-09)
Reddy and Mean Weasel team up to force Peter out of his thorny fortress, but it's a tricky place to navigate.
15	"Old Mr. Toad"	16 April 1973 (1973-04-16)
Grandfather Frog's friend, Mr. Toad, arrives. After spending time with Buster, he starts acting superior. The other animals decide to teach him a lesson.
16	"Bobby Raccoon is Captured"	23 April 1973 (1973-04-23)
Bobby Raccoon's tree is cut down, and he breaks his foot. Tom takes him to the farm to heal. Bobby initially dislikes it but later enjoys the care before returning to the wild.
17	"Paddy Builds a Dream House"	30 April 1973 (1973-04-30)
Paddy begins building his beaver lodge, which takes a lot of effort. Sammy tries to slow him down by manipulating Jimmy Skunk and Mean Weasel.
18	"Poor Mrs. Quack"	7 May 1973 (1973-05-07)
Hunters injure Mrs. Quack the Mallard. The animals help feed and protect her until she can fly again to find her husband.
19	"The Search for Mr. Quack"	14 May 1973 (1973-05-14)
Mrs. Quack can fly again, but hunters are still a threat. Johnny, Peter, Sammy, Blackie, and Joe must find Mr. Quack before the humans or Reddy do.
20	"Granny Fox and Reddy"	21 May 1973 (1973-05-21)
Reddy tries to raid Brown's chicken coop again. Granny teaches him a lesson about outsmarting predators, but Bowser proves to be smarter.
21	"Sammy Gets Mocked"	28 May 1973 (1973-05-28)
A new bird arrives, claiming to know Uncle Billy. Everyone thinks Sammy is being noisy at night, but it's actually a mockingbird named Mocker, Billy's friend.
22	"The Big Commotion in the Forest"	4 June 1973 (1973-06-04)
Sammy Jay uses Mocker's mimicry to play pranks, causing arguments among the animals. Billy and Johnny clear things up, and Mocker is accepted.
23	"Buster the Hero"	11 June 1973 (1973-06-11)
Tom is scared of Buster, and Blackie the crow tries to make them meet. Both get scared, and Buster's fear makes him angry, leading to a rampage.
24	"Traps in the Forest"	18 June 1973 (1973-06-18)
Hunters set traps. Jerry falls into one briefly. Grandfather Frog knows how to remove them, but the humans keep setting new ones.
25	"Peter Plays a Prank"	25 June 1973 (1973-06-25)
Peter tricks Reddy into falling into Jimmy's barrel. Jimmy blames Reddy, but when he finds out Peter is the real culprit, he plans revenge.
26	"The Straw Hat Monster"	1 July 1973 (1973-07-01)
Reddy tries to trap Peter at Mr. Brown's farm. Peter outsmarts him at first, but Reddy eventually catches him off guard at the cabbage patch.
27	"Mr. Condor Comes to the Forest"	8 July 1973 (1973-07-08)
A huge bird arrives, scaring everyone. He saves Polly from Reddy and is revealed to be Mr. Condor, another friend of Uncle Billy.
28	"The Secret of Mr. Condor"	15 July 1973 (1973-07-15)
Mr. Condor and his wife settle in the Green Forest to raise their young. Peter is confused about how condors have eggs without a nest, but they manage.
29	"Reddy Fox Keeps Home"	22 July 1973 (1973-07-22)
Granny Fox leaves, and a new, bigger predator, Old Man Coyote, arrives. Digger the Badger identifies him as a friend and says he's scarier than Reddy.
30	"Coyote is the Smartest"	29 July 1973 (1973-07-29)
Old Man Coyote is the new resident. Granny Fox returns and tries to trick him and Prickly into fighting. Mr. Toad overhears and tries to stop the fight.
31	"Longlegs the Heron"	5 August 1973 (1973-08-05)
Joe and Harry prank Grandfather Frog by sending Longlegs the Heron after him. Johnny and Polly warn them. The frog is aware, but things get complicated when Whitetail the Hawk joins in.
32	"The Importance of Paddy's Dam"	12 August 1973 (1973-08-12)
The Laughing Brook and Smiling Pool dry up again because Paddy is building a second dam. The aquatic animals struggle until Jerry warns Paddy about the consequences.
33	"Bobby & Blackie Crow"	19 August 1973 (1973-08-19)
Bobby is homeless and tired after his tree was cut down. No one helps, and Blackie takes advantage. Bobby eventually finds a new home in a cave near Buster.
34	"Grandfather Frog Leaves the Forest"	26 August 1973 (1973-08-26)
Grandfather Frog is ashamed and decides to explore. He ends up at Tom's farm, where Tom keeps him in a bucket. He regrets leaving, but Tom brings him home.
35	"Granny Fox and the Coyote"	2 September 1973 (1973-09-02)
Granny Fox tries to get rid of Old Man Coyote by sending Reddy to spy on him. Peter, Polly, and Johnny notice and warn the coyote.
36	"Who's a Coward"	9 September 1973 (1973-09-09)
Danny Meadow-mouse is very jumpy and brags about being a coward. His paranoia helps him survive encounters with a snake, Whitetail, and Reddy.
37	"Lost in the Green Forest"	16 September 1973 (1973-09-16)
Whitetail tries to kidnap a lost puppy, but it escapes. The animals take it in, but Sammy reveals it's a coyote pup. Johnny and Polly protect it from Reddy and Whitetail.
38	"Reddy Fox and the Sheep"	23 September 1973 (1973-09-23)
Peter causes Jimmy and Reddy to fight again. Reddy chases Peter everywhere, and even Bowser can't save Peter from Reddy's anger.
39	"The Big Boast"	30 September 1973 (1973-09-30)
Peter asks Chatterer if he's smarter than Sammy. Chatterer boasts, leading to a battle of wits and pride between them.
40	"Johnny's Adventure"	7 October 1973 (1973-10-07)
As autumn arrives, Johnny's house is old, so he decides to find a new home and leaves. He realizes adventuring isn't easy and finds he's been walking in a big circle around the Green Forest.
41	"Uncle Billy Regrets"	14 October 1973 (1973-10-14)
It's hard for Jimmy to find bugs as it gets colder. He follows Billy to the farm for eggs, but they find only dead ones. Jimmy gets angry at Billy, prioritizing revenge over common sense.
42	"Captive Chatterer"	21 October 1973 (1973-10-21)
Chatterer becomes overconfident after raiding the corn storehouse. He wanders into Tom's trap and becomes a pet. He dislikes it at first but grows to like Tom's kindness, though he misses home.
43	"Peter Changes His Name"	28 October 1973 (1973-10-28)
Peter is tired of his name and takes Jimmy's advice to change it to Cottontail. He also tries to change how he talks. The others don't like it and try to get him to accept his real name.
44	"Tom and Bob the Quail"	4 November 1973 (1973-11-04)
Some birds migrate for winter, but Bob and his family stay. They feed at the farm but are attacked by a poacher. Tom rescues a young quail named Mike and helps him heal.
45	"The Incident at Moonlight Party"	11 November 1973 (1973-11-11)
Everyone has a party under the full moon. Granny and Reddy try to use the party to catch someone to eat, especially Peter.
46	"Sammy Learns a Lesson"	18 November 1973 (1973-11-18)
Sammy's ego gets him into trouble, and the other animals humiliate him. Sammy gets revenge on Peter by imitating Whitetail. He then faces a choice: let Blackie the cat attack Chatterer or save him.
47	"A Gift Buster Left Behind"	25 November 1973 (1973-11-25)
Buster needs to gather food for winter. He accidentally takes acorns from Chatterer, making others fear he'll starve them. Buster decides to leave, but not before leaving farewell gifts.
48	"Peter the Imitator"	2 December 1973 (1973-12-02)
Peter wants to play, but his friends are preparing for hibernation. Rabbits don't hibernate, so Peter doesn't understand it. After Billy explains, Peter wants to try it.
49	"Danny in the Snow"	9 December 1973 (1973-12-09)
Danny loves playing in the snow and tunneling. This becomes a survival strategy when Reddy and Granny stalk him. He evades the foxes but must also watch out for an owl.
50	"Peter and the Peach Tree"	16 December 1973 (1973-12-16)
Peter wants to eat peach tree bark, despite Danny's warnings. He doesn't know eating the bark kills the trees. Humans wrap the trees in nets, leaving one as bait.
51	"Whose Footprint is the Other One"	23 December 1973 (1973-12-23)
Billy can't stop thinking about eggs after Jimmy eats some from the farm. Billy walks in Jimmy's footprints to hide his identity but forgets his tail, which gives him away. He escapes but needs to avoid being tracked.
52	"Johnny's Hibernation"	30 December 1973 (1973-12-30)
Peter plans a farewell party for hibernating animals (like woodchucks and bears) and non-hibernating ones (like rabbits and beavers). He excludes Reddy and Mean Weasel, but they try to join anyway.

Music of the Show

The opening theme song for the Japanese version of Fables of the Green Forest is called Midori no Hidamari. It was sung by Micchī (Mitsuko Horie) and the Chatterers.