Beacon Hill Bunnies

By M. Kennedy

The Beacon Hill Bunnies on Holiday

Hop and Barley were on vacation in the mountains. They were living in a rustic log cabin with a big stone fireplace. Each night Mummy lit old fashioned lanterns because there was no electricity. The cabin was beside a clear blue lake, with sweet smelling pine woods all around.

The twins were always up early, eager to be out on the water in the summer sun. They helped each other into bright orange life jackets, ready to go fishing in Daddy's big yellow rowboat. They all caught plenty of fish for breakfast, and grilled them in an old frying pan over a camp fire, on the pebbly beach.

Some days were filled with hiking and picnics, swimming off the dock, or exploring the woods. Others were lazier, colouring and reading in the hammock, or just working on a puzzle sitting in the shade. All were full of laughter and fun.

When the evenings were chilly, the family wrapped up in warm plaid blankets and gathered on the deck to watch the sun set. Then they'd toast marshmallows over the firepit and tell scary stories. One night an owl suddenly screeched overhead. Hop screeched too! Then he hid his little face in his paws. His brother teased him, calling him a "funny-bunny". Hop insisted later he only had smoke in his eyes.
By bedtime every night there were always two tired but happy little bunnies, ready to be tucked up under the big puffy comforter, to dream about tomorrow.

The Bunnies Go Back to School

All over Beacon Hill, families were getting ready for school. Primrose placed her new pink shoes under the chair beside her bed. A pink and grey plaid skirt was neatly laid across it. She could hardly wait for tomorrow. The cowgirl lunchbox, that she'd got on vacation, was packed and waiting in the fridge, with a 'Pink Cow" in the cactus shaped thermos. Primrose had made it herself.

Down in the hollow, by the Garry Oaks, the Meadow's family was not quite as organised. After supper Hop and Barley had taken their baths; their mother was pretty sure of this, because it always looked as though swamp creatures had romped through.

The boys had new shoes too, but this was mostly because Hop had lost his off the dock, and Barley had stepped in something so nasty his had been left behind at the cabin. The twins had, however, taken great care of their new red ball caps, mainly because they had never taken them off. Tonight they'd been sorry to learn they were not allowed to sleep in them.

Tucking her young bunnies in, Mrs. Meadows thought how very sweet they looked, all clean and sleepy. In the morning she would surprise them with new red pants to match the caps they loved so much.

Meanwhile, just over the Hill, Field was cleaning his new glasses one last time, before climbing into bed. The frames were the colour of butterscotch. He liked them so much he'd got a checked shirt the same colour. Field didn't need new shoes, he liked his soft old brown leather ones, and he kept them well polished.

He'd be happy to see his friends again. On vacation he'd got each one a pen with a tiny ferry boat inside. It even sailed back and forth on real water. He was sure the other bunnies would be amazed!

In a burrow beside the hedge where the hummingbirds gathered, Bramble and his family were already sound asleep. But before long, his new baby sister, "Willow," would wake them all up again. He would still brag about her in the morning though.

The first day of school was crisp and bright. Perhaps a hint that Autumn would soon be on its way. Standing in the schoolyard beside the swings, Miss Esther looked as pretty as ever, holding onto her favourite sunhat on, as the yellow ribbons caught the breeze. The young bunnies raced across to greet her, everyone laughing and hugging at once.

It was going to be a wonderful year!