Shy Bunny takes a ride in the moon.
Shy Bunny used to be very lonely until he made friends with the stars.
It happened one evening as he lay on his back looking up at the stars.
As he lay there wishing for a friend to play with,
A little star floated down from the sky and brought a whole bunch of his friends along with him.
From that night on,
The stars came down from the sky to play with Shy Bunny every night.
They played together from dusk when the sun went down until just before dawn.
The stars always had to go home before the first rays of sunlight peeped over the horizon.
When the stars went home,
Bunny went to sleep in his cozy little home under the ground where the bright daylight couldn't keep him awake.
One evening,
As Bunny and his friends lay resting on the grass after a particularly lively game of leapfrog,
Bunny sighed wistfully.
What's the matter,
Bunny?
The gentlest star asked.
Oh,
It's nothing.
The stars could see that Bunny had something on his mind,
But they kept quiet for a few moments to allow him to collect his thoughts.
Then Bunny took a deep breath.
It's just,
Well,
You visit me every night here in my garden.
I was wondering whether I would ever be able to visit you,
He asked his star friends.
The stars looked around at each other,
Puzzled.
The younger stars started whispering among themselves.
I'm not sure how.
I don't know if it's ever been done before.
It sure would be nice if you could.
Then they all turned to the oldest,
Wisest star.
Do you know of a way,
Stella?
Stella smiled and glowed a little brighter.
I do.
Really?
Shy Bunny gasped in surprise.
Really?
Stella giggled mysteriously.
But how?
I can't wait to find out.
I want to know too.
Me too.
Tell us please,
Stella.
The stars were all jumping up and down with excitement now.
Settle down everyone.
Of course I will tell you.
But first I have to ask Bunny a question.
Everyone became very quiet and turned to Bunny.
How brave are you,
Shy Bunny?
Stella asked.
Um,
I am pretty brave I think.
It depends on what I have to do.
Stella thought for a moment.
I think you should be able to manage.
The tricky part is getting up into the sky.
Once you are there,
We'll be able to play with you for as long as you like.
I believe that you can do it.
And all of us will be there to support you too.
Bunny sniffed nervously.
So what do I have to do to get up to the sky?
You will have to take a ride inside the moon,
Stella answered.
The stars gasped.
Really?
Bunny giggled nervously.
Yes,
Really.
It will be so exciting.
You'll see.
We will wait for the next full moon.
When the moon rises over that mountain over there,
You will be waiting at the top.
And as the moon passes the mountain,
You will jump inside and it will lift you all the way up into the sky so that you can come and play with us.
Stella made it all sound very easy.
But Bunny was worried.
Does that mean I will have to climb to the top of the mountain?
Of course,
Stella laughed.
But don't worry.
You have enough time to do it.
And that mountain is really not that high.
Bunny thought for a moment.
Then he made up his mind.
He took a big breath and puffed out his chest and then he said,
All right,
I will do it.
I've always wanted to see where the stars live and I am fast and clever.
And I can be brave.
Yay!
Yippee!
We are so glad.
The stars huddled around him and gave him a big hug.
Then they settled back on the grass again to help Bunny plan his journey up the mountain.
When the time came to start,
Bunny packed everything he needed for his journey into his backpack and started walking towards the mountain.
He didn't have to walk alone.
His star friends came down to keep him company as he walked and walked and walked.
Just before dawn,
When his friends had to say goodbye again,
Shy Bunny found a safe spot under a dense bush where he could sleep for the day.
Night after night,
Bunny continued his journey up the mountain.
He never felt alone or lost because his star friends were there with him,
Keeping him company and lighting the way for him.
Then finally,
The evening of the full moon arrived.
Bunny was ready and very excited.
The night before,
Stella had told him exactly what to do.
Now remember you will have to stand on that big rock right at the top of the mountain peak and when the moon floats past,
You will have to take a big jump into the moon.
I know you can do it,
Bunny.
You are so good at jumping.
I know I can.
Bunny squared his shoulders confidently.
It helps that my friends believe in me and you have helped me so much,
Dear Stella.
Thank you.
Now Bunny was standing on the big rock at the top of the mountain,
Ready to jump.
Stella and a handful of his best star friends had floated down to cheer him on.
When he looked down,
Bunny could see the big yellow moon rising slowly up to meet him.
As the moon came level with his feet,
Stella called to him.
Shy Bunny,
It is time.
You have to jump.
Bunny took a big breath,
Closed his eyes and took the biggest jump of his life.
He felt himself gently slipping into the bright shiny moon.
Bunny found that the moon was actually quite a bit like a giant soap bubble with a bright light shining from the inside.
Bunny looked out at the night sky,
Passing in front of his eyes as the moon carried him high up into the sky to where his star friends were waiting.
They had such fun that night,
Floating around the Milky Way.
They jumped through dark tunnels into different galaxies that were so far away that no spaceship on Earth could reach them.
When it was time for Bunny to go back home,
Stella came to find him.
The moon is waiting to take you back,
Bunny.
Shy Bunny gave her a big hug.
Thank you for showing me your home,
Stella.
You live in a magical place.
You are welcome to visit again,
Dearest Bunny.
Whenever the moon is full,
You can jump into the moon and float into the sky to visit us.
I will,
Bunny promised.
And that is exactly what he did.
His star friends still came to play with him at his house,
But whenever the moon was full,
Bunny made the journey to the top of the mountain and jumped into the moon to visit his star friends in the sky.
When you look carefully at the moon on nights when it is full,
You may be able to see Bunny's shadow inside the moon as he floats up to go and play with his star friends.
