The Hare Who Was Always Late
It starts with a little idea…
Poppy (child)“A hare, because they’re really fast. But he’s late every time. He keeps seeing stuff. Like a butterfly. My dad does that when we’re meant to go. Can the hare have a little watch?”
Hare can run faster than anyone in the meadow. So why does he always miss the beginning? Open his book and follow him to a rather important picnic.
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Plenty of time
Hare had the fastest feet in the meadow. He also had a pocket watch. Yet somehow, he was always late. “Plenty of time,” he would say. Then he would spot a butterfly. Or a curious hole. Or a cloud that looked like a carrot.
The invitation
Badger invited everyone to a picnic at twelve. “Mouse is bringing her special cake,” he said. “We’ll cut it when the village clock rings.” “I’ll be there,” promised Hare. At eleven, he polished his watch. At half past eleven, he brushed his ears. He had not packed his bag.
Just one thing
Hare set off with ten minutes to spare. Then he found a patch of strawberries. Everyone would like a few. Then he found some daisies. The picnic would look lovely. Then he found a beetle on its back. He turned it over with a leaf. From beyond the hedge came a sound. DONG.
Too late
Hare ran. His ears flew behind him. By the time he reached the blanket, the cake was cut. “We thought you weren’t coming,” said Mouse. Hare set down his strawberries. “I wanted to help. And bring things.” “We wanted you,” said Badger. Hare looked at his watch. It had been telling the right time all along.
A different plan
For the next picnic, Hare made a different plan. He packed his bag the night before. He brushed his ears after breakfast. He left before he thought he needed to. At the strawberries, he kept walking. At the daisies, he kept walking. He was going to be early. Then he heard a small voice. “Could somebody help?”
A real reason to stop
Mouse stood by the little stream. Her basket had slipped between two roots. She pulled. It would not budge. Hare looked towards the picnic hill. Then he looked at Mouse. “I can help,” he said. “But this time, I’ll tell them.” Robin was sitting on the fence. “Please tell Badger where we are.”
Together
Robin flew to the picnic. Badger came down the hill with a stout stick. Hare lifted one handle. Mouse pulled the other. Badger eased the root aside. Out came the basket. This time, nobody had to wonder where Hare was. And nobody had to struggle alone.
Worth waiting for
They carried the basket up the hill together. Hedgehog had saved a place for each of them. The cups were ready. The cake was waiting. “Sorry we’re late,” said Hare. “We knew you were coming,” said Hedgehog. Hare put his watch away. He sat down beside his friends. For once, he was there for the beginning.
An illustrated example of the experience we are developing. Talebrix is still in development; this book was not printed by the device.