Lightfoot the Deer
By Thornton W. Burgess
Published 1921
Lightfoot the Deer is one of the most beautiful and graceful animals in the Green Forest. He has long legs for leaping and a very sensitive nose for smelling danger. Lightfoot is very shy and prefers to stay hidden in the deep woods where it is quiet and safe.
In this story, Lightfoot must use all of his sharp senses to stay safe from the "Man with the Gun" and other predators like Old Man Coyote. He learns that he must always be alert and never become too careless. The book follows Lightfoot through the changing seasons as he grows his magnificent antlers and finds his way through the snowy woods. It is a wonderful story about how beauty and strength go hand in hand with being careful and wise.
Main Themes: Alertness, Grace, and Survival
Nature & Character Connection
The White-Tailed Deer: A Fleet-Footed Runner
Lightfoot is a White-Tailed Deer. In the real world, these animals are famous for the white fur on the underside of their tails. When they sense danger, they flip their tails up like a white flag to warn other deer. Burgess shows us how Lightfoot can leap over tall bushes and fallen logs with ease. This teaches students that deer are built for speed and agility. Their long, powerful legs help them escape quickly when they hear a scary sound in the brush.
Antlers: The Crown of the Forest
Every year, Lightfoot grows a new pair of antlers on his head. In nature, only the male deer (called bucks) grow antlers. They start out soft and covered in a fuzzy skin called "velvet" before they become hard like bone. In the story, Lightfoot is very proud of his antlers, but he also knows they can get tangled in the trees if he is not careful. This helps children learn about the life cycle of deer and how they lose their antlers every winter only to grow even bigger ones the next spring.
Sensory Superpowers: Ears and Nose
Lightfoot has very large ears that can turn in different directions to catch tiny sounds. He also has a nose that can smell things from a long way away. In the wild, deer rely on these senses because they cannot see as clearly as humans do during the day. Burgess describes how Lightfoot always "sniffs the wind" before he moves into an open space. This teaches students that animals have different ways of "seeing" the world to help them stay out of trouble.
Simple Activity Ideas
Deer Ear Listening: Have students cup their hands behind their ears and turn their heads to listen to a quiet sound in the room. Discuss how "making your ears bigger" helps you hear like Lightfoot.
The Silent Forest Walk: Go outside and try to walk across dry leaves or grass without making a single sound. This shows how difficult it is for a large animal like Lightfoot to stay hidden and quiet.
Antler Art: Have students trace their hands on brown paper and cut them out to create "handprint antlers." Talk about how antlers are different from horns because they fall off and grow back every year.
Discussion Prompts
On Being Shy: Lightfoot is very shy and hides from people. Why is being shy a good way for a deer to stay safe?
On the Seasons: How does Lightfoot's life change when the green leaves go away and the white snow covers the ground?
On Warning Signs: Lightfoot uses his tail to talk to other deer. What are some ways that we send signals to our friends without using words?
Morals & Values Learned
The Importance of Alertness: We learn that being aware of our surroundings is the best way to stay safe.
Grace and Gentleness: Lightfoot shows us that you can be strong and powerful while still being very gentle and quiet.
Respect for Wildlife: The story teaches us to admire animals from a distance and respect their need for a quiet, safe home.
Patience: Lightfoot often waits a long time in the shadows to make sure the path is clear. He teaches us that it is better to wait and be sure than to rush into danger.
Public Domain Notice: The original text of this book is in the public domain. Site layout, study guides, and supplemental materials are © burgess-books.com.
