Rabbits {says Mr. Lockley} are like human beings in many ways. One of these is certainly their staunch ability to withstand disaster and to let the stream of their life carry them along, past reaches of terror and loss. They have a certain quality which it would not be accurate to describe as callousness or indifference. It is, rather, a blessedly circumscribed imagination and an intuitive feeling that Life is Now. A foraging wild creature, intent above all upon survival, is as strong as the grass.
In Richard Adams' "Watership Down," Mr. Lockley draws a parallel between rabbits and humans, highlighting their resilience in the face of adversity. He suggests that rabbits possess an extraordinary ability to persevere through difficult times, navigating experiences of fear and loss without being genuinely indifferent. Instead, they embody a limited imagination and a profound understanding that life unfolds in the present moment.
This innate survival instinct, rooted in their nature as foraging creatures, allows them to endure challenges with strength and grace. Lockley emphasizes that rabbits, much like the grass they rely on, demonstrate a remarkable capacity to adapt and thrive, showcasing their deep connection to the essence of life itself.