Watership Down Summary

The story revolves around a group of rabbits seeking to establish a new home after their psychic companion, Fiver, predicts a looming danger to their warren. Despite the skepticism of the warren's leader, Hazel, Fiver's protector and brother, believes in the prophecy and rallies a group of rabbits including Fiver's friend Pipkin, two of his own comrades, Dandelion and Blackberry, and Bigwig, a respected member of the warren. Guided by Fiver's visions, they journey through various adventures, temporarily joining a seemingly peaceful warren farm that turns out to be a trap set by the farmer. Unheeding of Fiver's warnings, Bigwig gets ensnared but is rescued by Hazel and the group, leading them to leave along with Strawberry, a member of the farm warren.

Eventually, they discover a perfect spot to settle, Watership Down, a field on a hilltop. However, they soon realize the lack of female rabbits, crucial for their survival and propagation. Two survivors from their previous warren inform them of a devastating poisoning event that happened after their departure. Luckily, they befriend an injured bird, Kehaar, who helps them locate a nearby warren and a farm with rabbits. While Hazel stages a raid to rescue the farm rabbits, another group is dispatched to the new warren, Efrafa. They return injured and describe Efrafa as a brutal place ruled by the tyrant General Woundwort. Undeterred, Hazel insists on going to Efrafa to acquire female rabbits.

With a clever strategy, they infiltrate Efrafa where Bigwig finds a doe, Hyzenthlay, who aids them in escaping. A thrilling chase ensues with the Efrafa patrol trailing them back to their warren. They learn of an impending attack from the Efrafans through a mouse Hazel had earlier saved. Despite the odds, they prepare for a battle, while Hazel, Dandelion, and Blackberry attempt to release a dog from the farm to attack the invaders. The climax of the story shows Bigwig overpowering the formidable General Woundwort, followed by the dog disrupting the Efrafan forces. Hazel is caught by a cat but is released by a girl from the farm. The story ends with the rabbits living in peace, and the formation of a third warren between Watership Down and Efrafa, with Campion, a former Efrafan, in charge. Hazel lives an unusually long life, witnessing the prosperity of his warren before passing away.