“Ralph,
we found it. It’s exactly where the map says it should be. Our adventure is just beginning.” The bright-eyed young
girl smiled at the large white rabbit. Then, what a surprise; the massive, fuzzy creature gave the young girl a giant hug.
I felt safe hiding and watching from behind a massive boulder,
because it was almost five feet high and six feet long. From a slight kneeling position, I had a perfect spot to observe this
intriguing couple.
I could see the rabbit, who blinked behind wire-rimmed spectacles
that slipped down his pink nose. Atop his head was a three-cornered burgundy hat with holes cut just large enough to allow
room for his floppy ears to stick out and spill over the brim to brush his shoulders. He stood tall . . . maybe three feet
high when he stood on his hind feet. Commanding attention like a runway model in his striped sea green and sunburst yellow
velvet waistcoat, he was the most magnificent creature I’d ever seen. Adding the perfect covering
was a forest green satin tailcoat with oak leaves embroidered on the pockets. I adored his burnt orange velvet knickers.
Completing his regal attire were buckskin long-toed shoes.
The young lady and the rabbit ran over to an antique white
chest decorated with carved gold unicorns. A blue mist circled the girl and the rabbit as the chest rose two feet off the
ground and twirled in a perfect circle before coming to rest on the ground.
As soon as the chest landed, a small creature, no more than eight inches tall with a red pointed hat and long white
beard, peeked around the corner of the chest.
Clapping her hands against the rabbit’s paws, the girl
danced around the chest. Smiling, she reached inside a yellow messenger bag and pulled out a carrot. Tantalizing her furry
friend, the young lady ran waving the orange morsel in her hand. With a quick hop, the rabbit snatched the carrot from her
hand. He nibbled and took a drink of water from a small thermos.
The rabbit chomped his munchies and the young woman said to him, “Ralph,
remember what father said about this chest. We have to be very careful with it! Don’t drop it. It can’t be replaced.