Little Rabbit Gets a Lesson

Behind Raven’s Tree, deep in the base of the roots laid a rabbit warren.  This was a safe home for a family of rabbits, being guarded by the spirit of Raven.  As usual the mother rabbit left her kits in their nest while she searched for food.   “You all need to stay put until I get back. I know how to count and I will know who is missing, so I don’t want to come back and find anyone missing. If you leave the nest, I may never see you again.”   The warning was enough for most of the kits to stay put, but there was one little rabbit kit that was just too curious.  She had seen through the veil and seen the Grousing Day gathering. She was very impressed by Sir Lagamorph, a knightly rabbit.  She wanted to be a Round Table Knight some day, but how?  The only way she knew was to ask the Rabbit Knight herself.   Once her mother left the warren, the little doe snuck out the entry hole and found her way through the veil.  She saw elves and fairies, and some animals talking to each other who normally wouldn’t be able to. This was a world she wanted to be a part of.    Looking around her little eyes caught sight of a snail with a helmet.  “That must be Sir D.Forest,” and she crept slowly toward the little knight and whispered “Can you help me find Sir Lagamorph?”    Slowly the snail turned his head toward the voice, and he smiled a little snail smile. “Why do want to talk to Sir Lagamorph?  He has a lot of nature neighbors to take care, so he’s probably pretty busy.”  “I want to grow up to be a Knight of the Round Bale, but only he can tell me how to do that,” she explained. Sir D. Forest nodded his head, which made his helmet slide over his face, but he tried to ignore that when he replied.   The doe kid used her little nose to push the helmet back on the snail’s head, and the little knight answered her.  “He’s over by the Toad Stump, talking with a chipmunk who has a problem.  You can find him there but be careful that you might not like the answer.”  What did that mean? The little doeling thanked the knight and crept her way to the Toad Stump.  There she found the knight, without his helmet, crunched down to listen more closely to the chipmunk.   “There are only so many acorns to go around.  You can’t claim them all to yourself,” he said. “If you did that, what would that mean to all the other nut eaters?  They could claim all the nuts for themselves, and then where would you be?” she heard the long eared knight explain.  The chipmunk hung his head, thanked Sir Lagamorph and scampered back to the stonewall where he lived.   “Excuse me, Sir Knight,” chimed up the little rabbit kit.  “Could I ask you a question?”    “Of course, little one, but I need to ask you one first. Is that all right?” he replied. She nodded. “Does your mother know where you are?  Being a rabbit kit alone is a very dangerous thing. Didn’t your mother tell you that?”  “Yes, she did, sir. I just had to talk to you, and I might never get another chance, since she keeps us all so close together,” answered the little kit.“I want to be a Knight of the Round Bale someday. How did you get to be one?”  “Oh, well, I started out by listening to my mother.  Being a knight means understanding why rules are made. Not because I was a do-gooder, but because I knew that my mother knew more than I did.  She had lived much longer than I had and had avoided many foxes and bobcats. I wanted to learn from her how to stay safe from those dangers.”   “But how did you earn your title if you always followed the rules?” asked the little one.  “Isn’t it hard to earn that honor by always being safe?”    “Oh no, not always. I earned my title by listening to my mother, to my elders, and by having safe conversations with the hunters all around me. I used Grousing Day as a chance to meet with natural enemies, as everyone is safe during that time. They kindly told me what they looked for when finding their next meal, and that showed me how to avoid those traps myself.  Because I had earned their trust and shown that I was open to talking to others, other animals began listening to me, and asking me for help.  That is how I became a Knight of the Round Bale, not by any great act of valor, as rabbits have a quiet way to be valiant.  But by finding new ways to be safe, to explain my point of view, and by being brave enough to speak up for those who won’t speak up for themselves.”   “I didn’t become a knight because I was willing to break rules or ignore my mother.  I recognized the wisdom of others, and I use every opportunity to learn from them, and for myself.  I never wanted to be a knight. I just wanted to help others.  That’s why I am a Knight of the Round Bale.”   “Oh, I understand now.  Did I just ruin my chance by ignoring my mother?” she asked.  “No, though you’ll need to prove to your mother and your littermates that you are wise enough to follow.  Being safe isn’t about being cowardly. Being adventurous may make it impossible for you to ever reach your goal, because you became someone else’s dinner.”  Little Rabbit was really embarrassed. She had wanted to prove how strong she was, and instead she showed how foolish she was.    “Would you like me to take you home?  I can explain to your mother what has happened, and then maybe I can talk to your littermates too.”   “That would be very nice, Sir Lagamorph.  Thank you very much.”  The two little rabbits hopped their way through the open field, back to Raven’s tree, and back to the little rabbit warren.  When they got there the whole litter was outside playing and her mother was very worried.   “Your little doeling was very curious, and is very ambitious, which are good things in a little one.  But she also learned that being foolish in that curiosity is way more dangerous than she ever dreamed.  Don’t be too angry with her. She had good intention, but bad judgement,” explained the Rabbit knight.    Her mother was relieved, and thankful that Sir Lagamorph had escorted her little one home.  She was a bit angry, but because she felt that the kit had already learned her lesson, she decided to let the little rabbit play instead of sending her to the nest.   “There will be other times when you can talk to me at Grousing Day,” said the Rabbit Knight. “Before that, if you want to talk to me, tell a friendly bird, and I will get your message.  I may be responsible for the ground dwellers, but I’m always open to talking to everyone.  Take care little one,” and at that the Knight leapt away as fast as he could, leaving the little rabbits in awe that such a brave rabbit had taken the time to meet with them.   From that point on, Little Rabbit decided that listening was better than talking. She took every opportunity to learn everything she could, and knew that she was on Queen Agra’s list to watch. It was up to her if she was on the “good list,” or the other one.