A wild thing
or
A bunny for your thoughts
Based on a real Family Graystone Adventure
It is nice in the evening at this time of year. Graystone sat and worked at his computer, taking a cup of tea. Graystonette and Boy Graystone were abed and Jon sat on the front porch in his baby seat, watching his mother "Rocks", water the garden. She was out in the front of the house presently, watering the stone garden, lavender and violet flowers standing around a purple flagpole, no taller than she. All the stones in the garden were purple, especially so when they were wet.
Graystone House stood not quite atop a hill. The scent of night blooming evening stocks would soon fill the air around the house and grounds with rich perfume.
Jon watched as his mother, easily identifiable with her red hair and green eyes, moved closer to the house to water the dahlias.
A shriek rent the quiet evening and Graystone quickly left his work and went to see what caused such alarm. As she stood on the porch, "Rocks" pointed in dismay at the corner where the house met fence. Graystone looked and saw nothing,
"What is wrong ?" he inquired.
"I think it is a big mouse or something. It came running out of the dahlia's when I was watering them." she said, "it scared me."
As Graystone neared the corner he looked down and saw the little bunny, ears no longer than half a pinkie, quivering with fright, nose pressed as far into the corner as it could get. It was the smallest little rabbit Graystone had ever seen. It was brown, but it was actually a myriad of colors, every pastel shade of earth, that made the brown. A rich mix of camouflaging color that blended into dry garden soil.
"Rocks" had dropped the garden hose she was using to water.
Graystone picked him up, he kicked briefly before settling down. Honey pranced nearby, a circus dog of interest.
"Rocks" and Graystone unwittingly had a visitor for the night, they made him as comfortable as possible. A small box on it's side, with an old toque in it (Canadians generally have old toques.), in the bottom of a larger box, placed near the back door.
In the morning, when Graystonette and Boy Graystone woke up, "Rocks" told them about the bunny and they were very excited. Each was allowed to pet the bunny a little bit, which made bunny very nervous and the little ones very curious.
The first thing Graystone and "Rocks" did was phone Fish and Wildlife. After hearing a description of the bunny, F&W suggested it might be domestic.
Graystone House, however, is on the edge of the city and development is proceeding. It is right on the boundary now as new sewer lines and roads replace hills and dales.
Graystone asked his little children if they would like to go to Petland, a wonderful place to learn about animals. The small gray car had just enough room for Graystone, Graystonette and Boy Graystone along with the little bunny, in the boxes.
As planned, the trio went to Petland and met a young lady who worked in the store. She had never seen a rabbit like this she said, just then a young man walked up and told everyone, "It is a baby jackrabbit." Petland had little to offer on jackrabbits, but the little ones now had a name for their bunny, he was Jack. Petland offered a small amount of rabbit grass, and their sympathy.
As Graystone returned home, he was worried about the young rabbit. Petland said he was likely 6 weeks old, and too young to be alone.
When Graystone got back to Graystone House he phoned several places, to learn more about Jack. Graystone met a nice lady on the phone named Tammy (Thanks to the SPCA) who told Graystone about jackrabbits, and explained what he must do.
Graystonette and Boy Graystone were thrilled, they would be able to see Jack all day. Gramma Graystone was informed by "Rocks" of the unique experience, and Gramma went and got Graystonette's little cousin Brinny Rue. Each of the little ones got to spend a brief time petting Jack or looking closely at him, Jack was still very frightened.
Tammy had told Graystone that jackrabbits hide their babies in the daytime, and that baby should be put back where found for that night. She assured him that the mother would return if she was alive. Graystone went out late in the evening and took little Jack with him, the children had tearfully bid Jack goodbye. Graystone put Jack down in the fresh lightly turned garden soil, right under the irises, (I know your thinking, only Graystone would be so cruel, remember, it was only two feet to the dahlias <g>) Jack didn't move. An hour later, near nightfall, Jack still had not moved.
In the morning, Graystone examined the garden for the tale. Jack had moved, after dark it seemed, back under the dahlias, heheheh. His mother came in the night, her heavy back track, plainly visible in the rich garden loam. They had moved around a little in the garden before they left, their tracks side by side.
For one brief instant my children had a look at a truly "wild" thing. One so small, so sweet and so perfect that I am sure they will remember it forever. Jack's mom must have been worried and Family Graystone wishes to thank her for lending us her dear heart for that short visit, may her blessings be returned tenfold. |
