The Black Rabbit

Southland Times, Issue 25341, 20 July 1935, Page 19

The Black Rabbit

—Prize.— f Five grey, young rabbits full of fun, Came running down the track, And, sadly creeping after them, A rabbit that was black. He wiped his little furry cheeks, And ever sighed, “Alack!” ’Twas hard to be outcast and spurned, Because his fur was black. Five gay young rabbits ’neath the moon, Five times a rifle’s crack; And, safe within the shadows dark, A rabbit that was black. Those five grey rabbits, full of fun, Not one of them came back; One only lived to tell the tale— The rabbit that was black. 1/- to Cousin Chrissie Ross (16), 24 Lochend street, Dunedin. —Prize.— Whenever I decide to take a stroll, ' Or down the green and grassy hill to roll, Some man is sure to see my glossy fur, And murmur to himself, “I’ll catch that Brer.” Though why they want to kill me I don’t know; Why! Even children gasp and cry out “Oh! I see a rabbit, black as black,, can be,” And then you may be sure that it is me. I see the trapper hunt for me all day, But I am hidden safely in the hay; He mutters as he plans to take my life—- “ His coat would make a good fur for my wife.” I wait until the world has lost its light, And then I creep into the darkening night; To play about my tiny little home— Because you see, it is not safe to roam. —l/- to Cousin Patricia Summers (15), Orepuki. —Prize.— He hops and bounds through the shining meadow And o’er the waving grass, You may often see his shadow Whenever he may pass. i Now he’s like a flash of lightning Before our straining eyes, And he can’t be caught while running Because he almost flies. But sometimes in the early morn You’ll see his bobbing tail, He’ll flip his ears in saucy scorn And chew a piece of kale. —l/- to Cousin Ruth Heath (13), Lilburn, Tuatapere.

—Highly Commended— One frosty mom In the month of May Old Black Rabbit Came out to play. He brushed his whiskers Licked his coat Winked one eye at John the stoat. Then started off In search of food And sniffed about For something good. He found a turnip By the way, And rushed at it Without delay. The turnip proved A juicy one, He ate so much He couldn’t run. He waddled on His breakfast over To sleep it off, Among the clover. —3 marks to Cousin Isobel McKenzie (13), Dipton. —Highly Commended— With twitching nostrils, And down bent nose. He scents out a track, Where e’er he goes. He knows the scent of, An enemy—man. He tries to dodge him, As best he can. Two black, furry ears, So tall and straight, Like soldiers guarding, A castle gate. Ah! but what is that? Some new scraped soil, That is a trap, so, His blood does boil For—once a black rabbit, Fine and gay. Is caught and has died The cruelest way. So carefree once in— His sleek black suit. Is caught by man,. And stunned by his boot. —3 marks to Cousin Lilian Todd (15), Toa P.O. —Highly Commended— Out from his home in the hilltop, Tufti the black rabbit ran, Down to where lettuces abundant Grew in the garden of man. His bunny friends told him he shouldn’t, That traps were plentiful, too, But he laughed and called them all cowards And boasted of all he would do. He would stop every few miles he travelled, To preen his beautiful fur, And carefully watch out for all danger. This conceited adventurer. When he had eaten the best in the garden Of all things bunnies enjoy, He started for his home up the hillside Watched by a dog and a boy. Now Tufti, poor dear, is a prisoner sad In the hutch by th. garden wall, Wishing he had not been so boastful For pride comes before a fall. —3 marks to Cousin Sylvia Scott (15), Box 88, Queenstown.

—Commended— I have a black rabbit, And I like it very much, I keep my little rabbit In a wooden, grey hutch. I feed him on cabbages and carrots a lot, And near his home is a vegetable plot. I let him out every day But he never ventures near that way. To-day you know, he was two years old, And he’s grown a great big rabbit bold. And so I let him eat a lot, Of my cabbages in my garden plot. —2 marks to Cousin June Rees (12), 272 Yarrow street. —Commended—■four next door neighbours have a pet, As troublesome as can be, And if you look over the garden-wall, This creature you shall see. ’Tis a small black rabbit, Which they found one day, While playing in the meadows, Amidst the stacks of hay. Now it is always up to tricks, At least that’s what they say, For it is spoiling things, When let out to play. Its only name is Blackie, The reason for this you shall hear, For the only part of it that is not black, Is the smah white tuft on its ear. —2 marks to Cousin Dorothy MeCrystall (13), 167 Ettrick street. —Commended— Down by the red brick wall Where the sun shines bright all day The black rabbit reclines in the heat, With his dear little head on the hay. He lives in a box which uncle made, On sunny days he ventures out. And spoils my garden gay, Then he goes and hides about. —2 marks to Cousin Peggy Williamson (13), 204 Spey street. —Commended— Out on the hills Far from town, A wee black rabbit With fur like down, One day did stray A little too far, From his burrow away. After a time Quietly he slept, In the blazing sun While on him I crept To catch him for fun, And I just about had him When bad luck for me Something disturbed him And off he did flee. —2 marks to Cousin Marjorie O’Halloran (13), Nith Street. —Commended — I have a little rabbit, That’s as black as black can be, And so I’ve called him Darky A name not fit for you or me. I feed him on lettuce, And carrots so red, Or perhaps a little radish Or a parsnip instead. Just beyond the hen-house His little home does stand, Which the little fellow loves And thinks it, oh, so grand. —2 marks to Cousin Kath Springford (12), 304 Yarrow street. foTiTrfEuiui: 177777'L—7'7 : 77!