Rabbit Run and Other Short Stories

By LaDonna Berry Ring

This a compilation of a series of short stories written for children. The stories share various experiences and ideals from northwestern Oklahoma life. Many of the stories are based on actual events from LaDonna's life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781257619559

Book preview

Ring

1. Rabbit Run

One bright sunshiny afternoon in May, the Jack Rabbit Children were playing hop-scotch in front of their burrow in the pasture. There was HiJack, Apple-Jack, and Flap-Jack.

Their mother was making lettuce and carrot pies for the picnic at Rabbit Run that evening. There were already good smelling pies sitting on the window sill to cool.

She glanced up at the window just in time to see a blur of ears, feet, and eyes zip past. Also, she noticed a missing pie. She heard a voice say, See you later guys.

Mother knew just who took her pie without seeing a face. Her problem child, Flap-Jack, was noted for the stunts he pulled and was usually up to something most of the time. Oh dear! Mother cried, wiping her paws on her apron.

She called to the other children, Run get your father and Ole BlackJack. Tell them to meet me at Rabbit Run, and hurry!

Flap-Jack’s gonna be in big trouble, ain’t he Mamma? Apple-Jack asked as she hopped away with HiJack close behind.

Flap-Jack had swiped the pie and was scurrying away with it toward the tall grass which Rabbit Run provided. There he could hide and enjoy his prize.

Rabbit Run was a maze of small rabbit paths winding in and out through the tall pasture grasses and weeds. Each run led out into a beautiful meadow of lush, short green grass. However, it was still daylight and the rabbit clan never ventured there before dusk as great danger lurked in the open. The danger was from pursing predators such as coyotes, bobcats, and so on. But, the greatest danger was from Farmer Berry’s terrier, Towser. That old dog guarded the yard, garden, and the meadow ferociously.

Flap-Jack finished his pie. Boy that was good, he said licking his chops. Now I think I’ll try me some of that nice green grass out there in the meadow.

He nibbled here and there until he was far out in the middle. As he chewed a tasty mouthful of the grass, he heard a horrible growl! Flap-Jack turned to see the devil dog bearing down on him at full speed. He let out a frightened shriek and fled, dodging this way and that. Twice he heard the old dog growl, Gotcha!

He was running as fast as he could toward the safety of the runs in the tall grass. The devil dog was just ready to pounce on him once again. Suddenly, he saw a streak of grayish black run between him and the dog. It was Ole Black-Jack, his uncle. Other rabbits were running everywhere, but