16 BUNNY BUNTING

Bunny Bunting was a little white rabbit.
He lived in a nest. The nest was in the tall grass.
One day Mother Bunting said, “I am going to find some clover for breakfast.
Be a good rabbit and stay in the nest.” “Yes, Mother,” said Bunny.
Mother Bunting hopped away.
Bob White came to the nest.
“Bob White! Bob White! Good morning, Bunny,” said he. “What a fine day it is! Come out and play with me.” “No, I must not,” said Bunny Bunting.
“Oh, come out and play with me, and I will give you a carrot!” said Bob White.
“No, I must not,” said Bunny Bunting.
So Bob White flew away.

Then Robin Redbreast came to the nest.
“Cheer up! Cheer up! Good morning, Bunny,” said he. “What a fine day it is! Come out and play with me.”
“No, I must not,” said Bunny.
“Oh, come out and play with me, and I will give you some cherries!” said Robin Redbreast.
“No, I must not,” said Bunny.
So Robin Redbreast flew away.
Bluebird came to the nest.
“Chirp! Chirp! Good morning, Bunny,” said he. “What a fine day it is! Come out and play with me.”
“No, I must not,” said Bunny.
“Oh, come out and play with me, and I will give you a cabbage!” said Bluebird.
“No, I must not,” said Bunny.
So Bluebird flew away.
Hark! What a queer sound in the tall grass!
Swish—swish—swish—swish.
Bunny Bunting raised his long ears.
Then he heard the queer sound once more.
Swish—swish—swish—swish.
There was a big Black Snake!
“Th—th—th—th! Good morning, Bunny Bunting,” said Black Snake.
Bunny Bunting was frightened.
“Mother! Mother!” he cried.
Mother Bunting heard the cry.
She went back to the nest as fast as she could.
Hop, hop, and Mother Bunting was on Black Snake’s back.
How she scratched him!
“Run, Bunny Bunting, run!” she cried.
Bunny Bunting ran and hid in the tall grass.
Mother Bunting ran and hid in the tall grass, too. Black Snake looked and looked, but he could not find them.
So he started to go home.
But a big tree fell down on Black Snake’s head and killed him.
Then Mother Bunting and Bunny went back to the nest in the tall grass.