PETER’S LITTLE FRIEND.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19639, 27 July 1935, Page 16 (Supplement)

PETER’S LITTLE FRIEND.

Six-year-old Peter hvas tired of playing by himself. Ire did so want something really alive to play with. lie knew he was not allowed to go into the woods alone, but this morning he felt naughty. He climbed over the garden gate and ran across 'the field Into the woods.

Peter wandered along the path, on and on. Once there was a rustle in the leaves or a tree over his head, and looking up he saw a squirrel caling nuts and i throwing down the empty shells. After a’ while Peter felt tlrod, so he* sal down on the ground among the bluebells. Quite a number of rabbits popped out of their burrows to look at the strange hoy. Presently there came a little squeak Peter looked round and saw a baby rabbit lying on the ground. tic went up to it and saw’ that the poor little tiling was caught in n leap. Peter opened the trap and the rabbit jumped out.

Girl Guides’ Notes will be found on page 18.

It was frightened of Peter and tried to run away, but it couldn’t because it had hurt one of its legs. Peter knelt down beside it and stroked its lovely soft hair.

“Don’t be frightened," he said, "I won’t nurt you. I’ll take you home"; and he took the rabbit in his arms and carried it ail the way back through the woods and across the field. As lie came to the gate into the garden ho could hear his mummy calling him: “Peter! Peter I"

She came running to open the', gate. “ Ohl darling, where have you been?” she asked. Then she saw the rabbit. “Oh! poor little thing, is it hurt!" “Yes," said Peter, “’I foundrit in a trap.”

Peter’s mother took the rabbit into the house and gently bathed its leg and wrapped it up.

Peter never felt lonely again, for by the time the rabbit was quite well it had become so fond of him that it used la i. him all over the house and garden.