Once upon a time, in a land where the sky was as blue as a robin’s egg and the forests were forever green, there stood a magnificent, old fir tree. Its branches reached out to hug the clouds, and its roots held the earth in a steady, loving embrace.
Deep beneath the roots of this great tree, in a warm and cozy sand-bank that smelled of sweet pine needles, lived four little rabbits. Their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. Their mother, Mrs. Rabbit, was a gentle and kind soul who loved her little ones more than all the stars in the sky.
One bright, golden morning, Mrs. Rabbit called her four children to her side. “My dear children, you may go out into the fields or down the lane to play, but whatever you do, do not go into Mr. McGregor’s garden. It is a very dangerous place for little rabbits. Your father once had a terrible scare there; he was almost caught in a great big net and barely made it back home. Now, run along and play nicely, for I must go to the baker’s to buy some fresh brown bread,” said Mrs. Rabbit, patting their soft, velvety ears one by one.
Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail were very good little bunnies. They put on their neat red capes, took their baskets, and hopped down the lane to gather sweet, wild blackberries.
But Peter, who was very naughty, forgot his mother’s words the moment she was out of sight. Driven by curiosity, he ran straight to Mr. McGregor’s garden. When he reached the big wooden gate, he squeezed his plump little body underneath it and slipped inside.
Oh, it was a wonderful place! The air smelled of fresh, damp earth. First, Peter ate some crunchy French beans. Then, he munched on some crisp, green lettuce. After that, he nibbled on some juicy, bright red radishes. He ate so much that his tummy felt like a little drum. “I feel so full that I must go and find some parsley to settle my stomach,” muttered Peter, rubbing his round belly with his tiny paws.
But as he hopped around the corner of a cucumber frame, whom should he meet but Mr. McGregor! Mr. McGregor was on his hands and knees, planting out young cabbages. He jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake. “Stop, you little thief! Those are my cabbages!” shouted Mr. McGregor, chasing Peter across the garden.
Peter was most dreadfully frightened. He forgot the way back to the gate and rushed all over the garden. In his panic, he lost one of his little shoes among the cabbages and the other among the potatoes.
Without his shoes, he began to run on all fours and went even faster. But his luck did not hold; the brass buttons on his brand-new blue jacket got caught in a gooseberry bush. Hearing Mr. McGregor’s heavy footsteps behind him, Peter wriggled out of his jacket and ran into a toolshed.
In a dark corner of the shed, there was a watering can half-full of cold water. Peter jumped right into it! The water was icy cold, and a few drops got into his little nose. He couldn’t help himself. “Kertyschoo!” sneezed the little rabbit, shivering in the cold, wet can.
Mr. McGregor was after him in no time, but Peter was too quick. He jumped out of a small window and finally found his way back to the forest.
Peter ran and ran, his little heart going pitt-patt, pitt-patt, until he reached the familiar shadow of the great fir tree. He scurried into the warm sand-bank and flopped down upon the soft floor, closing his tired eyes.
Mrs. Rabbit was busy sewing when she saw Peter return without his jacket or shoes. She sighed softly, but when she saw how tired and frightened he was, she did not scold him. She knew he had already learned a very big lesson from his little fright. She gathered him into her arms and held him close.
That evening, Peter did not feel very well, and his tummy ached from all the radishes and the cold water. His mother put him to bed in his fluffy, warm nest. She brewed a pot of hot, sweet-smelling chamomile tea. “Drink this, my little one; it will settle your tummy and keep you warm,” whispered his mother, tucking him in and kissing his forehead.
But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail sat around the wooden table. They had warm milk, fresh bread from the baker, and those sweet, wild blackberries they had gathered in the lane. They ate their supper happily, safe and sound in their cozy home.
And so, as the moon rose over the forest, all the little rabbits fell fast asleep, dreaming of tomorrow’s gentle adventures.
