In a sunny forest clearing, Hoppy the Rabbit was enjoying his breakfast. He munched happily on a fresh orange carrot while the morning dew sparkled on the grass around him. His blue vest with golden buttons shimmered in the early sunlight. Unknown to Hoppy, behind a nearby bush, Rusty the Fox watched him carefully. Rusty’s stomach growled as he adjusted his worn brown scarf, thinking about what a tasty breakfast the rabbit would make.
Suddenly, Rusty jumped out from behind the bush! “Aha! I’ve got you now!” he shouted. Hoppy’s long ears twitched, and without missing a beat, he hopped away quickly. “You’ll have to catch me first!” Hoppy called back cheerfully. Through the winding forest path they ran, jumping over fallen logs and ducking under low branches. Rusty’s paws pounded against the ground as he chased after the nimble rabbit.
The chase led them to a large pond filled with lily pads. Hoppy stopped at the edge of the water, pretending to be tired. “Oh no,” he said loudly enough for Rusty to hear, “I’m too tired to run anymore!” Rusty grinned widely, thinking he had finally won. “Now I’ve got you!” he declared, creeping closer and closer. The water reflected their images as Rusty prepared to pounce.
But just as Rusty leaped forward, Hoppy jumped aside quickly. SPLASH! Rusty fell right into the pond, creating huge ripples in the water. His brown scarf was completely soaked! “Oh dear,” Hoppy giggled from the safety of the other side, “it seems you needed a bath!” Rusty sat in the water, looking quite silly with his wet fur. He couldn’t help but laugh too. “You’re too clever for me, Hoppy,” he admitted. “Perhaps we could share a carrot instead?” Hoppy smiled and pulled out an extra carrot from his vest pocket. “I’d like that very much,” he said, and that was the beginning of an unusual friendship between a clever rabbit and a reformed fox.