Ekaterina Gardener

Rabbit-Lot’s Day of Paradise. Today is an unusual day: we are giving our Rabbit-Bite to a new family. The meeting time is set for 6 p.m. on Red Dawn Boulevard.
 

We’ve divided up the tasks: Arkhip will clean the cage, trim the nails, and comb the fur, while I’ll take care of the rest. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Rabbit-Bite that day. I lay down on the grass near the cage, made some sketches, treated Rabbit-Bite to his favorite clover, and stroked his silky fur. I admired Rabbit-Bite, God’s creation, but I couldn't help worrying: Would he like his new home? Would our Rabbit-Bite feel comfortable there? In that moment, it almost seemed like he answered in a human voice, "It will be good for me!"
 

On our way. The cage is in the trunk, Rabbit-Bite is in the box on the backseat, and we sit beside him. The whole way, we sing an anthem in honor of Rabbit-Bite. He’s not singing, though — he just chews his clover and looks out the window. We approach the address, and Arkhip gives Rabbit-Bite a cuddle. Everything inside me freezes.
 

The moment of truth. Red Dawn Boulevard. We make our way up to the second floor. I carry the cage while Arkhip follows me reluctantly. He holds the box with Rabbit-Bite in one hand and a bag of clover in the other, muttering something to himself. Maybe we should turn back?
I wonder. The door clicks open, and a girl of about 12 years old steps out to greet us. I notice a suspicious smile beginning to form on Arkhip’s face. He hands Rabbit-Bite a slice of banana and says, “Here, eat this! The new owner is unlikely to ever give you something like that!” He eyes the girl with mistrust while she peers into the box. Arkhip presses Rabbit-Bite to his chest and warns, “Don’t give him sweets more than once a day, or he might develop diabetes!” While Arkhip tries to stall, I sneak a glance into the apartment. What awaits Rabbit-Bite? Loneliness? The unknown?
 

What do I see?! At the end of the narrow hallway is a room full of rabbits of different colors, hopping from room to room, from sofa to sofa, from windowsill to balcony! A Rabbit Paradise!