Adventures in Cottontail Pines - Kindred Hearts Day

ADVENTURES IN COTTONTAIL PINES

  –

  KINDRED HEARTS DAY

  by

  T.K. Wade

  *****

  PUBLISHED BY:

  Cover Art Illustrated by:

  T.K. Wade and Coy Fields II

  Adventures in Cottontail Pines:

  Kindred Hearts Day

  Copyright © 2014 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

  –

  KINDRED HEARTS DAY

  *****

  It was spring in the happy town of Cottontail Pines. For many of the animals who lived there, it was a time of renewal, a time to enjoy the vibrant colors of nature, and it was also a time to tidy things up for the year to come. As all these things were true of the coming of spring, there was a yearly event that the children of this town looked forward to the most–Kindred Hearts Day.

  As this very famous day drew near, Mister Hooty the Owl had brought all the children together at the giant oak tree in Oak Pass to explain this holiday. All the little ones attended this meeting, and among them were Flopsy the white, lop-eared bunny, Blacky the grumpy skunk, Goober the timid, brown rabbit, and also, little Gumdrop the mouse. They all listened very attentively as the wise Mister Hooty gave his speech:

  “As you all may be well aware, it is almost time for Kindred Hearts Day. This has been a long celebrated tradition among this town, and I am sure you all wish to participate. Since the very cobblestone path was built through our fine town, the animals here have always strived to live in friendship with one another. Although we do not always see eye-to-eye on everything, we continually do our best to get along.

  “However, sometimes a friendship is much closer than usual, and I have always considered such things as beautiful. Is there someone you know that just feels closer than the rest? Is there someone you wish to know more? That is what Kindred Hearts Day is all about!

  “In just a couple days, we will all meet here once more and present each other with ‘sugar hearts’ which will be donated by the adults. Find someone you wish to trade these sugar hearts with, and as is the tradition, they shall be your kindred friend forever!”

  Upon the end of the owl’s announcement, all of the children present were prattling like mad about the very important day. Flopsy was one of them: “Oh! This is such a wonderful tradition! Just think about it! I already have all you wonderful friends, and now, we have an opportunity to make more of them!”

  Goober raised his finger as he replied, “That is the main purpose of this event. It helps us all get along and put aside our differences, but it can also bolster friendships that already exist.”

  Blacky, who appeared very uninterested in such things, said, “Are you allowed to just give the sugar heart to yourself? You’re supposed to eat it anyways.”

  Gumdrop the mouse seemed rather put off by Blacky’s comment. “That’s not how it works! Flopsy and I traded our sugar hearts last year, and I haven’t eaten mine at all. It means too much to me.”

  Flopsy concurred, “I didn’t eat mine either. But I had to wrap it up and put it somewhere safe because it was so small and mouse-sized.”

  The skunk crossed his arms and sighed. “Well, I’ll find someone to trade with, but I am totally gonna gobble mine up.”

  Goober warned, “I recommend brushing your teeth thoroughly afterwards, Blacky.”

  “I will if I feel like it,” returned the skunk tersely.

  Flopsy was enjoying everyone’s company, but her attention was suddenly taken away when she noticed a certain other bunny in the nearby crowd. It was a dusty gray rabbit–about her age–with little sprinkles of white across his head and nose. His name was Powder because these markings made it look like his mother had spilled flour on his head.

  Powder was usually very shy and generally preferred the company of other boys. Flopsy had always noticed him and that he was a very handsome bunny; however, she had yet to ever speak to him at school. What a wonderful thing it would be, thought Flopsy, if Powder was one of my friends. She decided right then and there that Powder would be the one she would trade sugar hearts with on the big day.

  *****

  That night, Flopsy was having dinner with her family. Mother Rabbit had prepared a delicious carrot feast to which everyone was enjoying. Father Rabbit was there as well talking about the various events of the day. Lemmy, who was Flopsy’s little brother, was eating mashed carrots on his highchair. He was making little messes here and there, and Flopsy occasionally leaned over to clean him up.

  When the lop-eared bunny got the chance, she asked, “Is there any way you can make the sugar hearts extra big this year?”

  Mother Rabbit was surprised. “Sweetie, why should they be any bigger than last year?”

  “Because I am really excited about Kindred Hearts Day this time. There’s this boy I kind of like, and I want to impress him with a really big sugar heart.”

  Father Rabbit chuckled and replied with a smile, “Well now, I don’t think that would be fair to all the other children who will only get a regular sized heart to eat.”

  “But dad, I don’t eat mine. I save them. Things that important should last forever.”

  Mother explained, “He might not have the same tradition, sweetie. I think we should make them the same size as all the other parents just to be on the safe side.”

  Flopsy sighed as she cleaned Lemmy’s messy mouth with a cloth. “I guess you’re right. I am just really looking forward to it this year.”

  Father then inquired, “Any hints as to who this lucky boy is?”

  The white bunny smiled wistfully. “It’s Powder. Have you heard of him?”

  Both parents chuckled mischievously. Mother Rabbit asked, “Isn’t that the boy with flour on his face?”

  “I think the white speckles are cute!” announced Flopsy resolutely. “It always seems to me that he doesn’t spend enough time around girls like me, and I think it would be great if he was a close friend like Goober and Blacky.”

  “Well now,” mumbled the father briefly. “He may not want to be friends with girls just yet. I would be careful about asking him—.”

  Mother Rabbit interrupted him, “Oh, pish-posh! I see nothing wrong with her asking him. She seems very fond of the boy, and I think it would be lovely to see a new face around here.” Father Rabbit scrunched up his face for a moment before deciding to remain quiet on the subject. Flopsy was barely there. She was thinking about how cute Powder was and how wonderful it would be to trade sugar hearts with him.

  Maybe I shouldn’t wait until the big day, thought Flopsy. I’ll make something for Powder tonight and ask him about it tomorrow. That way, he’ll be just as excited as I am!

  Before the white bunny went to bed, she took out a big leaf that she normally used for school assignments and cut out the shape of a heart. She then decorated it with glitter and crinkled fabric until it was the prettiest gift that one might imagine. She went to bed and dreamed about how happy and surprised Powder would be to see such a gift.

  *****

  T
he next day finally arrived. As it was not a school day, many of the children of Cottontail Pines enjoyed playing in Donut Park. It was a very large park where there were many things to do such as sliding, swinging, running, and various sports. Flopsy had shown up as well, but she was not there to play. She came looking for a certain speckled-faced rabbit.

  Powder was there talking with some of the boys in his class. She gleamed with happiness when she noticed him and hopped right over to get his attention; however, she did not want to give him the gift in front of everyone. She decided to be a bit more discreet about the way she would address him.

  “Um… Hello, Powder,” she said nervously.

  Powder saw her and broke free of the boys to find out what she wanted. “Hello. You’re Flopsy, right? I have seen you in class.”

  “Yeah,” she said with a blush. “That’s me. I wanted to ask you something, but I don’t wanna do it out here.”

  “What’s wrong with ‘out here?’” he queried with some confusion.

  Flopsy tried to keep her paws behind her as to not reveal the gift too soon. “It’s a secret. Can we walk out into the nearby forest trail? I’ll tell you there.”

  To Flopsy, Powder seemed awfully unsure of things in that moment, but he still agreed to her terms. They soon found themselves alone among the trees. Powder asked, “So, what is it you wanted to tell me?”

  “Well,” said the bunny with a mischievous grin, “It’s more about what I wanted to ask you.”

  “Ask me? What do you mean?”

  Flopsy took a deep breath and then held out the pretty heart leaf that she had made the night before. “I made this for you because I think you are really cute! I want you to have it, and then, we can trade sugar hearts on Kindred Hearts Day! Will you be my kindred friend, Powder?”

  Flopsy was rather happy with her delivery, but Powder simply remained stock still as if presented with a very uncomfortable proposition. He said not a word and did nothing at all. This unexpected lack of action made Flopsy very worried. Thinking maybe he was just overcome with surprise, she forced the heart into his paws and said, “Just take this for now. It’s just a hold-over until the big day. You do want to trade with me, don’t you, Powder?”

  Powder’s hands were trembling as they held onto the pretty heart leaf. He rapidly looked from the gift to Flopsy–back and forth a few times–yet he still did and said nothing.

  “Powder?” said the now very anxious bunny. “Is there anything wrong?”

  Powder then dropped the heart to the ground and hopped off back to Donut Park without any explanation at all. Flopsy stood where she was for a very long time. She was shocked and embarrassed all at once. Eventually, she picked the heart back up… and slowly walked back to her house.

  *****

  Mother Rabbit was very worried. Flopsy had locked herself in her own bedroom and had been crying off and on ever since. “Please, come out and tell me what’s wrong, dear!” Mother would beckon.

  But all Flopsy would say was, “I’m never coming out! I’ll stay in my room forever!”

  “Can you at least tell me what happened?” urged the mother.

  “I can’t! Just leave me alone!” cried Flopsy.

  Mother Rabbit sat down at the dining room table and released a woeful sigh. Father Rabbit was home that day as well, and he joined his wife with much concern. While he held little Lemmy in his arms, he told her, “This must have something to do with that boy she was so eager to be friends with, but if she won’t tell us anything—.”

  “I know, honey. I am not sure we can do anything for as long as she is in such despair; although, I have sent for Gumdrop. If there is anyone who can settle this, it will be her.”

  There was a knock at the door followed by the calling of a little voice, “I’m here! Let me in quick! I can hear her crying from halfway down the cobblestone path!”

  Mother Rabbit swiftly dashed over to the door and opened it. With nothing more than a, “Thank you!” the little mouse marched right by and towards her assured destination.

  “Flopsy!” Gumdrop called through the door. “It’s me! Can you let me in so we can talk?”

  The sobbing voice returned, “I can’t see anyone anymore! I’m never coming out either.”

  Gumdrop faced the two parents. “This is serious! Flopsy has never not let me into her room.”

  Mother Rabbit asked, “Is there anything at all you can do? You know how dear you are to her.”

  The little mouse waved her paw nonchalantly. “Don’t worry! Just let me handle this.” And with that, the mouse turned towards Flopsy’s bedroom door again. “Flopsy, if you let me in and talk to me about it, your mother will make you a big cake, and you can eat the entire thing yourself!”

  Mother gasped. “I will?!”

  Flopsy sniffled and opened the door a little bit so the mouse could walk in. Gumdrop gave two thumbs up to the mother and whisked herself straight into the room before it would be too late.

  “Apparently you are making a cake for Flopsy tonight, dear,” said Father as he played with Lemmy.

  Mother sighed as the reality of it sunk in. “I’ll go get the flour.”

  Flopsy wasted no time in going back to her bed where there were tissue leaves everywhere. Gumdrop scurried up onto the bed too via a little set of steps which the bunny had made for the mouse. Flopsy started right off: “It all my fault, Gumdrop! I did something horrible!”

  “Goodness!” shouted the mouse. Gumdrop noticed the little brush nearby and immediately began brushing Flopsy’s ear fur. “What did you do?”

  “Well,” continued Flopsy, “I was all excited about Kindred Hearts Day, and I was thinking that I would trade sugar hearts with Powder. You remember Powder, right?”

  “I’ve seen him around,” replied the mouse. “He’s the one with flour on his face, right?”

  “Yes, that’s him,” sniffled the bunny. “I thought he was so cute, and I just couldn’t wait to trade with him on the big day. So, I made a special present for him and went to ask him about it this morning.”

  “What present?” queried the mouse. Flopsy reluctantly showed Gumdrop the pretty leaf heart with all the glitter and frills. Gumdrop’s eyes filled with awe at the lovely gift. “This is wonderful, Flopsy! But did you not give it to him?”

  “I did!” assured Flopsy. “I took him down the forest path near Donut Park, and I asked him if he wanted to trade sugar hearts with me, and I gave him this gift just as an early present.”

  “And what did he do?”

  Flopsy teared up all the more. “Nothing! He just stood there looking like it was the most horrible thing ever, and then… he just dropped it and ran away! Oh, Gumdrop! I am so embarrassed! I didn’t know he would act that way! How can I ever face him again?!”

  Gumdrop was perturbed in that moment–but not concerning Flopsy. “There was nothing wrong with what you did, Flopsy. This gift is beautiful. Something must have gone wrong with Powder.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” cried the rabbit with sorrowful eyes. “I can’t ever leave this room again. I’m a terrible person for even trying to be his friend!”

  Gumdrop slapped the brush down into the bed for effect. “Stop talking like that! I don’t wanna hear it! You are a wonderful person, Flopsy! I tell you what: I’ll go have a talk with him and see what his problem is.”

  “No!” shouted Flopsy as the much larger bunny pounced upon the mouse trapping her there. “I can’t let you do that! I am already embarrassed as it is!” Now, as heavy as Flopsy was compared to the mouse, Gumdrop was much more agile and was skillfully slipping through the folds of the bed. Flopsy franticly tried to restrain the mouse by grabbing her any way she could, and the two wrestled for a bit in some rather harmless ways.

  Gumdrop finally cried out, “Flopsy! You can’t keep me in here forever! Let go of my tail!”

  Flopsy was resolute, “You can’t talk to him! You just can’t! I’ll just die after what happened!”

  “Look,” said
the determined mouse, “All I can see here is that something bad happened between you and him, and I don’t think it’s your fault. Let me talk to him, and if nothing comes of it, I’ll trade sugar hearts with you again this year. I promise I won’t mess anything up.”

  Flopsy let Gumdrop’s tail go. “But what will happen to me?”

  “Your mom is making you cake.”

  “Oh, yeah. I like cake,” sniffled the bunny.

  Gumdrop took the little stairs down to the floor. “Why don’t you go help your mother till I get back? Don’t worry, Flopsy. I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Flopsy went over and let the mouse out, and with that, Gumdrop was out to complete her very important mission.

  *****

  Although, it was getting rather late, Powder the bunny was in his backyard sitting on a swing that his father had made for him. He was not doing much swinging though. The speckle-faced rabbit was rather down after what had happened earlier. He had not spoken with his friends or played any sports like he was usually known to do. His mother and father were even becoming a little worried for his well-being.

  Imagine his surprise when a little mouse showed up walking around his home to see him. “Hello?” he asked warily.

  Gumdrop was not so much angry but very determined to discover what was wrong with him. She scurried up to the boy and stood tall (which could not have been very big for a mouse.) “My name is Gumdrop. We go to the same school together. My friend Flopsy was real upset when I talked to her today, Powder.”

  Powder blushed. “What does that have to do with me?”

  That answer did not sit well with the mouse. She clenched her little fists and asked, “Are you gonna come clean with me, or am I going to have to make you talk?”

  Powder hopped off of the swing and waved his hand in dismissal. “I don’t have to say anything to you. I’m going back inside.”

  “Oh, yeah?!” shouted Gumdrop with anger. She then leapt forward and latched herself right onto one of the bunny’s toes giving them little mousy nibbles.

  Powder was so surprised at this that he gave a shout and tumbled backwards. He tried to shake the mouse off, but she would not budge. “Let me go! Stop it! I didn’t do anything!”