by TK Wade
ADVENTURES IN COTTONTAIL PINES
–
THE SUMMER PRINCESS
by
T.K. Wade
*****
PUBLISHED BY:
Cover Art Illustrated by:
T.K. Wade and Coy Fields II
Adventures in Cottontail Pines:
The Summer Princess
Copyright © 2013 by T.K. Wade
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
*****
ADVENTURES IN COTTONTAIL PINES
–
THE SUMMER PRINCESS
*****
It was not always the easiest thing to wake up in the morning, especially when the days prior were full of so much work. There was school, chores, and the constant responsibility of being a very reliable friend. It was no wonder that Flopsy could barely force her eyes open.
Flopsy was a white, lop-eared rabbit and the oldest out of a litter of two. Her younger brother, Lemmy, was only an infant. Flopsy was constantly charged with changing his diapers and playing with him when her parents were busy; however, she never minded doing this. She wanted Lemmy to grow up knowing that he was loved by all of his family.
As the minutes seemed to roll by, she began to wonder how late it was getting. The birds had been chirping pleasantly outside her open window. She figured that it was probably noon or later. What a waste of a perfectly good morning, she thought to herself.
One of her best friends hopped up to her open window: a tall eared, brown rabbit named Goober. He was about the same age as her, and they usually did everything together. The only problem was that he was a bit on the timid side. It was not that he lacked strength of character, but he was just about allergic to everything and was always worried about one thing or another.
Goober poked his head through the window and saw that she was still in bed. He called, “Flopsy, you haven’t gotten out of bed yet?”
Flopsy lay perfectly still; however, she replied, “I can’t move. I’m too tired to move. I think I missed breakfast and everything.”
The brown rabbit held up his finger as a warning. “You shouldn’t miss breakfast, Flopsy. They say it is the most important meal of the day. It’s full of vitamins that keep your mind alert.”
“I never saw any of those vitamins before.”
“Well, they are still there. What if you came across a wolf or some other bad animal? If you didn’t eat well, you’d probably freeze or pass out.”
The white rabbit turned her head over to look at him. “I would still run away. You’d probably pass out though–with or without your vitamins.”
Goober pointed at himself. “I’m a special needs rabbit. I find it is best to stay away from danger altogether.”
Flopsy slowly pulled herself to the edge of her bed and released a long sigh. “I’m not as sleepy when I sit up, but it was still hard to sit up. What time is it anyways?”
The brown rabbit replied, “Mid-morning. Are you sure you missed breakfast?”
The girl was surprised. “It’s only mid-morning?! I thought it was practically the afternoon! I bet mom still has breakfast for me!”
Goober once again revealed his warning finger. “You should eat all the healthy stuff first and save the yummy stuff for a snack later. You shouldn’t pig out for breakfast.”
Flopsy grumped. “I like all the yummy stuff when I wake up! I’m not a special needs rabbit. If I ran into a wolf, I would still know what to do.”
The brown rabbit sighed. “When you are done, can you meet me in Oak Pass? Mister Hooty the owl wants to ask you something.”
Flopsy hopped out of bed. Her large ears flopped down her sides even down past her feet. She replied, “I don’t want to talk to Mister Hooty today. I only talk to Mister Hooty when I’m at school. If everyone talked to their teachers on the weekends, where would this world be?”
“He said that it’s really important. It’s about the Summer Jamboree that’s coming in two days.”
The words definitely caught Flopsy’s attention. “Maybe I will come by and see what he wants. But I want you there with me in case he starts talking about smart things. You can mention something about what you are supposed to eat or not eat, and then you’ll get a whole conversation going, and I’ll be able to slip away.”
Goober smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you there!” He hopped away at a relatively slow pace.
Breakfast was indeed ready for her as she entered the dining room. Mother was just setting the plates down on the table for Flopsy and her father. The entree consisted of stuffed spinach leaves with flower bulbs garnishing the sides. Lemmy was given the same treats but in a much more mashed up form.
Papa rabbit was reading the local news which had been printed onto a large leaf. He always read the paper in the morning. Father was always attuned to the happenings of Cottontail Pines.
Flopsy stepped up to the table and spoke with relief. “I thought I slept all through breakfast, Mom. That would have been a nightmare.”
Mother laughed. “You always think you oversleep. I don’t think you have even done it once.”
Father folded down the big leaf and added, “You’re sometimes even up before we are. That’s what probably happened, Flopsy. You woke up early but thought it was later.”
Flopsy giggled and began eating up. She noticed that little Lemmy was shoving the mashed food into his mouth faster than he could swallow it. Mother saw this and immediately began helping him with a tiny spoon.
Flopsy commented, “I bet Goober would have a thing or two to say to Lemmy about eating fast.” She suddenly remembered, “Oh! Goober was outside my window today. He said that Mister Hooty wants to talk to me. Did either of you hear why?”
Father replied, “This isn’t a school day. I wonder what this is all about.”
The younger rabbit continued, “Goober said that it was about the Summer Jamboree. I think they might be picking me to be in the parade.” The rabbit beamed as both parents looked at her with shock.
Mother asked, “At such a young age? You must be excited!”
Flopsy made little circles on the table with an idle finger. “I’m not the youngest one who ever did, though. I just hope its somewhere where people will see me. Still, I don’t really know what Mister Hooty wants. I’m going to go see him just after breakfast.”
Father chuckled. “Just don’t let him teach you anything.”
The little bunny rolled her eyes. “There is no way I’d let him. I think he is a nice guy and all, but teaching kids stuff on an off day is a bad idea. What if our heads popped from too much information?!”
The couple laughed, but they suddenly stopped when Lemmy tossed some food at Flopsy’s head. The little girl gasped, but Mother was quick on the mark and cleaned her daughter’s face with a cloth. Flopsy’s mother said, “Sorry about that, dear. He’s just trying to get your attention.”
The daughter smiled. “I know he is, and I love him.” She pointed at Lemmy. “You hear me, Lemmy? I love you a whole bunch.” The little bunny giggled.