In Richard Adams" Watership Down, Hazel and Fiver are more than just ordinary leaders. Faith, Wisdom, Compassion, and Courage are key virtues we see lived out in Hazel, Fiver, and the rabbits that followed them. Hazel is painted in many ways as a rabbit that deserves the respect and allegiance he is given by the other rabbits. Fiver is respected because of his sixth sense: prophesizing. Both of these spiritual leaders are responsible for the warren's salvation.
Hazel became the leader of the rabbits once they left their original warren. He was a very smart and tricky rabbit who won the respect and trust of the other rabbits by his courage and many great deeds. He always handled problems calmly so others would also remain calm. Whenever a plan was needed, Hazel would always come up with one. If it weren't for Hazel all of the rabbits on Watership Down would have died at Sandleford. Hazel led the rabbits of Watership Down to become allies with other animals. The first animal that Hazel became friends with was a small mouse. Even though the mouse wasn't big enough to fight any battles with the rabbits, he became beneficial when he warned Hazel of Woundwort. Kehaar, a bird, was the other animal that the rabbits became allies with. He helped to lead Hazel to the warren of Efrafa. Without Kehaar, the rabbits would have never found Efrafa and the does that helped their small warren grow. By making allies, Hazel was able to make their missions easier and more enjoyable. Hazel's journeys were not effortless, but because of his determination it was able to keep the morale high within their groups. Hazel had to tell his rabbits how wonderful the warren would be once they arrived there and were settled in. There were many times when the rabbits doubted Fiver's dreams and their decision to leave Sandleford, but Hazel always encouraged them to keep going. At the end of the first day of their journey, Hazel's group are exhausted almost to the point of stupor.
Yes, ordinary rabbits or maybe not so ordinary. ... Anything more than that is to them a thousand or a great many ie an uncountable number. ... He puts together the other rabbits when Fiver has the prophetic dream of their current burrows destruction. ... Hazel awaits him; and he will do his best for his leader. ... That is what it means to be a leader-- to lay down everything. ...
