Angel rubbed her eyes and scampered over to the lettuce patch. She munched happily for a few seconds, then played a game of tag with Butterfly, hopping up and down the rows of lettuce. “I’m hungry, Butterfly.” Butterfly flittered above her, then gently landed on her back. Angel loved giving Butterfly rides. She hopped over to her brother and sister. She gently nudged them. “Time to wake up, brother! Time to wake up, sister!” she called.

“Angel, go to sleep,” her mother yawned as Angel’s brother and sister nestled closer to her.

Angel shrugged. Everyday was the same thing. No one wanted to play. All they wanted to do was sleep. Mommy always told her to act like a good little bunny and gave her so many rules to follow, like staying away from the forest and ocean animals. She sighed, remembering the few times she had hopped to the edge of the forest. It was dark in there, but she wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t afraid of anything. She wanted to explore, but she was never to leave the garden, especially not without Mommy.

“What are you going to do today?” Butterfly asked.

Angel wrinkled her nose. “I’m going to find some new friends to play with!” she announced as she hopped away.

“No, you can’t!” Butterfly warned, nervously flying around Angel in circles.

“I’m a big girl,” Angel stubbornly answered as she washed her face. “Besides, I heard Froggy telling neighbor Groundhog that he met some very nice forest animals on his vacation.”
“But you’ll get into trouble, Angel. Those animals and insects aren’t our kind. You have to stay in the garden.”

“I don’t care, Butterfly. I’m going to see who’s in there,” Angel said and scurried into the dark forest.