The Runaway Bunny

Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Plot Summary: A young rabbit tells his mother he wants to run away. His mother, however, responds, "If you run away, I will run after you". They continue to play an imaginary game of hide-and-seek throughout the book.
Posted In: Metaphysics

Discussion Questions

IS SOMETHING STILL ITSELF IF IT CHANGES?

• Is a chair still a chair if its legs are broken?
• Is a song still a song if everyone forgets the words?
• Is a spoon still a spoon if it falls behind the stove and is never seen again?
• Is a book still a book if some pages are torn out? All of its pages?
• Is a morning still a morning if no one is awake to see it?
• Is a clock still a clock if it stops and there is no one to wind it?
• Are pencils still pencils if they are too short to use?
• Is the sun still the sun if it doesn’t shine?

HOW MUCH CAN A THING CHANGE BEFORE IT IS SOMETHING ELSE?

• A dress.
• A car.
• A face.
• A feeling.
• An idea.
• A friendship.

STAYING THE SAME AND BECOMING DIFFERENT

• Are there some things that always stay the same no matter what?
  • Your size.
  • Your friends.
  • Your family.
  • Your house.
  • Your yard.
  • Your feelings.
  • Your friendships.
  • What you like to eat.
  • Your mind.
  • Your day.

GROWNUPS AND CHILDREN

• How are grownups different from or the same as children?
  • Grownups are not children.
  • Grownups are still children.
  • Grownups are larger than children.
  • Grownups can do more things than children can.
  • Grownups know more than children.
  • Grownups know less than children.
• Will you still be you when you grow up?
• Which of the following will still be the same when you grow up?
  • Your hair.
  • Your head.
  • Your mouth.
  • Your eyes.
  • Your feet.
  • Your feelings.
  • Your thoughts.
  • Your dreams.

WHAT MAKES YOU YOU?

• Your family.
• Where you live.
• Your age.
• Your clothes.
• Your body.
• Your mind.
• Your dreams.
• Your toys.
• Your thoughts.