64 Zoo Lane

Horace is a tortoise who finds himself the object of affection from Bao Bao, a panda who enjoys giving hugs. Despite Bao Bao’s gentle attempts, Horace does not enjoy being hugged and prefers to keep his distance. The story follows their simple, contrasting interactions.

The Story of Horace the Hare is a programme presented as an episode. It falls under the genre of an episode, offering a concise narrative format. Though the title mentions a hare, the central character is Horace, a tortoise, and the piece is structured as a single instalment within a series. The core of the story follows Horace, a tortoise who is uncomfortable with physical affection, specifically the embraces offered by Bao Bao, a panda. Throughout the episode, Horace repeatedly declines Bao Bao's attempts to hug him, highlighting his clear preference for personal space and his aversion to being held. He often steps back, signalling his discomfort. The interaction between Horace and Bao Bao forms the narrative's main focus, with the tortoise's reluctance providing the central tension. By concentrating on this simple yet distinct conflict, the episode showcases the characters' differing attitudes toward touch, underscoring Horace's steadfast resistance to Bao Bao's affectionate gestures. Their brief exchanges focus solely on the hugging attempt. Presented as a self‑contained episode, the story maintains a straightforward structure, revolving around the repeated refusal of Horace to accept Bao Bao's hugs. This concise format allows the audience to observe the consistent pattern of Horace's behaviour, reinforcing the premise that the tortoise simply does not enjoy being embraced by the panda. The scene repeats until the episode draws to a close.