| “ | I may be a little overenthusiastic but I'm no criminal! | „ |
| ― Woodrow to Sergeant Wilfred and Clara, Fairest #30 — "Five Rhymes and a Riddle: Chapter Four of The Clamour for Glamour" |
Woodrow is a Fable woodpecker who lives on the Farm in upstate New York. He first appears in Fairest #30 — "Five Rhymes and a Riddle: Chapter Four of The Clamour for Glamour."
History
During the preparations for the glamour Lottery, the Beehive in André Gardens is vandalized, leaving a distraught Queen Bee and the rest of the bee swarm without a home. Woodrow, along with the Dormouse Juggler and the latter's neighbours in André Gardens, is swiftly identified as the primary suspects by Sergeant Wilfred and Clara. According to Mister Sunflower, the bees have stopped the Dormouse Juggler from performing because her show attracted the attention of birds who flocked to watch the show, including the woodpecker Woodrow, who kept tapping at the bees' hive to show his approval.[1]
When Old Maid Hollyhock then hears Woodrow the woodpecker tapping away on the Dormouse Juggler's stage with his beak as the Dormouse Juggler performs a juggling act, she complains about the noise that the woodpecker makes. The old woman believes that the Dormouse Juggler should be the prime suspect, saying that the animosity between the bees and the Dormouse Juggler lies with her avian devotees, and that the avid woodpecker who tapped his approval all over their hive was the greatest offender. Wilfred and Clara question the woodpecker, who admits that he finds the Dormouse Juggler amazing and he would do anything to see her perform. However, when the investigators suggest that Woodrow may have demolished the hive with his powerful beak, Woodrow immediately proclaims his innocence, stating that while he may be overenthusiastic, he is no criminal. The Dormouse Juggler immediately springs to his defense, explaining that Woodrow has no motif and is leaving with her as her agent, as they plan on touring the Homelands together. She also points out that had Woodrow done it, half the Farm would have heard the commotion.[1]
One month later, the Dormouse Juggler and Woodrow attend the prestigious Lottery drawing for glamours, each in possession of their respective Lottery tickets. Sadly, they are not among the fortunate winners.[2]
Physical appearance
Woodrow is an anthropomorphic woodpecker. Serving as the agent for the Dormouse Juggler, he is attired in a mint green T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "Amazing Dormouse Juggler Tour."[1]
Appearances
Fairest
- Fairest #30 (first appearance)
- Fairest #32
Original source
Woodrow is based on the Woodpecker from "The Dormouse Juggler," an obscure poem written and illustrated by the Victorian artist R. André, from his book Little Blossom (1884). It goes:
Wee Dormouse Juggler, I think you play
With nuts and acorns for balls all day;
And the birds come flocking to see the fun,
While the Woodpecker taps on the tree 'Well done!"