The Rabbit

There was once a little rabbit who lived in a hole near a farm. He was all alone and didn’t have many friends. He had chosen to build his home near a farm so he could safely gather food and take it back to his home. He had gotten to know some of the other farm animals like the duck and the sheep, but he never felt like they really connected. The duck was a Patriots fan and the sheep was a Cowboys fan, but he tolerated their company.

He built his home to be cozy and surrounded himself with things that made him comfortable. He would spend his days there daydreaming about the outside world and what other rabbits were like. Every now and then he would venture out into the open field on the other side of the farm to find something fresh to nibble on. He never stayed out too long though for fear that he might encounter a hungry coyote. He’s had an unpleasant run-in with one before.

A coyote had caught him off guard while he was grazing in the field one day. His defenses shot up immediately as soon as he sensed the coyote. The rabbit was ready to run as soon as he spied him, but the coyote remained where he was and kept his distance. After a long, awkward silence, the coyote said, “Hello.”

“Stay back,” the rabbit called out.

“Oh don’t worry,” the coyote replied. “I’m part of a new movement of vegetarian coyotes.”

The rabbit was puzzled by this for a split second then noticed a drop of saliva dripping from the coyote’s mouth. He jumped away just in time as the “so called vegetarian” coyote lunged towards him. Luckily, the rabbit had some carefully mapped escape routes that allowed him to get away without the coyote tracking him. He breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it back to his home. Nonetheless, the rabbit hid away for a few days until he felt it was safe to come out. When he finally did, he wandered over to the old familiar farm where he felt comfort in seeing the duck and sheep. Even though he knew his Steelers would annihilate both their teams, he was glad to have their company.

Eventually he grew bored of the farm again and contemplated another trip to the grassy field next door. Alas, his fear would not let him, so he would sit at home gazing out into the blue sky, wishing he had the courage to go back out there.

One afternoon, he woke up from a mid-day nap to the sound of something rustling nearby. He lay still, just listening. For a fleeting second he pictured the “vegetarian coyote” pacing outside, but this sound was different, almost familiar. He gathered up all the courage he could and poked his head outside. Just as he did, he caught a glimpse of something brown and fluffy hopping away.

‘Another rabbit!’ he thought and jumped out of his hole to follow it. A few yards away he noticed a pair of ears that looked like his poking through the grass.

“Hello there,” he called out. No reply. “Erm…excuse me,” he tried again.
“Oh hello,” a sweet and quiet voice replied. Suddenly, the most beautiful rabbit he had ever seen emerged from the grass. It was love at first sight!

From then on the rabbit had a constant companion and by the following spring, they had a whole rabbit family! This had all come true the day he decided to face his fears and venture back into the unfamiliar and out of his comfort zone. He learned an important lesson that day and was glad that he did.

THE END!