The badgers as a whole are horrified by what’s been done to the hill, and Badger reveals that all the digging animals (the rabbits, weasels, and moles) have been forced underground. Fox and his children dig into Boggis’s chicken house and steal several chickens. Fox has an idea: The family can dig underneath the farms and break into their storehouses. Fox and the children become weak from fear and hunger. The fox family continues to dig, and the farmers stake out the hill with shotguns in hand. They use giant mechanical shovels attached to tractors to tear up the hill. In a rage, the men decide to dig out the entire hill to find the foxes. The family mounts an escape, digging downwards before the farmers can catch them. Fox reminds them that they can dig faster than humans. Fox can return: They grab shovels and begin to dig out the fox burrow. The three farmers decide to take action before Mr. However, his tail is shot off by a shotgun blast as he scurries away. Fox isn’t prepared for an ambush and flees when he sees the men. Fox’s hole and plan to shoot him when he emerges. Boggis, Bunce, and Bean frequently spot him and try to kill him, but he outwits them every time.īean decides that the best way to end these thefts is for the three farmers to work together. Each night, he sneaks to the surrounding farms to steal chickens or other birds to feed his family. Fox provides for his family by stealing from the farms. The three men hate the wild animals that live on the outskirts of their farms and try to kill them whenever possible.ĭespite this danger, Mr. In this valley are three large farms, owned by a trio of rich, cruel farmers named Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. Fox, and their four children living in a hole under a tree overlooking a valley. This guide is based on the Puffin Books version reissued in 2007.įantastic Mr. The novel has been adapted into stage plays and an opera however, the best known version is likely the critically acclaimed film adaptation (2009) directed by Wes Anderson and starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray. Two audiobook recordings were released, with the first being narrated by Roald Dahl himself. Fox won the 1994 BILBY Award in Australia. Having remained in print around the world since its release, Fantastic Mr.

Fantastic mr fox audio book