The Girl and the Rabbit

Ava carries a cardboard box home from the pet shelter, inside it a cream-white rabbit with soft brown patches, long upright ears and a tiny blue collar with a silver bell. She names the rabbit Clover and proudly builds a cozy corner near the bookshelf, with a soft mat and a little hidey house. Certain Clover will love being cuddled, Ava scoops her up for a hug, but the rabbit's ears flatten, her back legs kick, and she squirms free and hides under the sofa. Ava is confused and a little hurt.

Her mother explains that rabbits are not teddy bears and need space to hop, things to chew and gentle hands, and that real kindness means respect rather than constant cuddles. Ava takes this to heart, watching Clover instead of grabbing her, adding a cardboard tube and a wooden chew stick to the corner, and practicing soft strokes and a held-out carrot. Written by Jane MEADOW, this gentle tale can be read on Kids Tale Book.