Let me introduce you to Fergus the Frog,

as I welcome you to my web site.

Hopefully you will like what you see

and maybe children worldwide

will find a friend amongst the characters

portrayed in these simple stories.

Simple, innocent tales, that perhaps may inspire a new generation

of story-tellers.

Terri x

Fergus finds lost treasure.

Fergus the Frog, finished reading his book, which had been all about Pirates and buried treasure.

He thought it must be very exciting to be able to explore shipwrecks that lay on the bottom of the ocean.

If only he lived at the bottom of an ocean instead of the bottom of a brook

Maybe then, he too, would be able to find a sunken chest full of pirate's gold.

He closed the book and placing it on the bedside locker he made his way downstairs.

"There you are Fergus, I thought you were never coming down for breakfast", his mother put a large glass of milk and a plate of snail sandwiches on the table in front of him.

Fergus smiled and said " good morning," thinking he had the best mummy in the world, for snail sandwiches were his favourite.

Mrs frog took a clean apron from out of a kitchen drawer and after fastening it around her waist, began to clear away the table.

"Good boy Fergus, I am glad that you didn't day dream over your breakfast, for I have a lot of cleaning to do and I would like to get started"

 She glanced out of the kitchen window, "It's a lovely sunny morning, perhaps you would like to play outside until lunchtime".

 she turned to look at Fergus.

Fergus was enjoying the last mouthful of his sandwich, but he thought it was a very good suggestion and nodded his head in agreement.

Mrs Frog gave Fergus a hug, and wiping the crumbs from his mouth with a clean tissue she told him

"Dont go too far away, and try to stay out of mischief"

Promising that he would do as his mother asked, Fergus headed out the door.

He walked to the edge of the brook, where the largest lily pads were to be found

Fergus would need one of these, if he was to play his favourite game of Pirates!

Spotting a nice wide one, he hopped on to the leaf.

This could be his pirate ship

He needed something for a cutlass now, because Fergus was a fierce Pirate, and all Pirates have a cutlass.

Maybe he could snap off a bullrush, and pretend that was a very sharp  sword.

Yes, that would do.

Next he tied his handkerchief around his head, he didn't have an eye patch, but still Fergus felt ready to play

at being "Fierce Fergus" the toughest, and bravest Pirate on the high seas.

He leapt from lily pad to lily pad, making blood curling yells, as he waved his imaginery sword about, and singing

"Im Fierce Fergus, brave and bold,

"I'm searching for treasure and lost gold."

He strode around the deck of his ship, barking out orders to imaginery prisoners, to "Scrub the decks" and "Hoist the sails", then tired out he laid on his back and amused himself by seeing how big a bubble he could blow.

The sun was warm and Fergus felt himself drifting off to sleep, shafts of sunlight made the ripples of the brook sparkle.

One area around the bullrushes was particuarly sparkly, reflecting a lovely blue colour.

Fergus sat up, , maybe it was just a piece of broken glass that the sun was reflecting off,  he decided to take a closer look.

Diving off the Lily pad he landed with a plop in the water, and swam towards the clump of bullrushes.

Parting the tall reeds and rushes, he searched for anything that could have made the lovely blue reflection on the surface of the brook.

He didn't find any pieces of coloured glass, or coloured pebbles, Fergus was about to give up looking, when he caught sight of something shiny lying in the mud amongst the roots, it was a thin silver chain.

Attached to the length of chain was a small blue gemstone  in the shape of a heart.

Picking it up, Fergus noticed that the gemstone had gold coloured letters printed on it

The letters spelt out the name C-a-t-h=e-r-i-n-e.

He sat there admiring it, it was very pretty.

His heart beat fast with excitement, at last, just like a real pirate, he had found lost treasure.

Footsteps sounded on the gravel path, that ran alongside the brook, someone was coming.

Fergus decided to remain very still. and quiet, and Watch!.

 A little girl with blonde hair was nearing the edge of the brook, she sat down on the grass verge, close to where Fergus

remained sitting perfectly still.

She was close enough for Fergus to see that she had very big blue eyes, and that they were full of tears.

 The little girl began to talk out loud.

Fergus listened carefully, but only managed to catch the words,

"I shall never find it now"

She began to sob loudly.

Fergus didn't like to see the little girl so unhappy, he decided to be brave and coming out of hiding he hopped over to where she sat.

She looked up in surprise when she spotted him, and holding out her hand she touched him very gently, then said 

"Hello, where have you come from" ?

Fergus croaked an "Hello"!  back and told her that he had been watching from amongst the bullrushes.

"Why are you so sad"? He asked.

"I am feeling sad  because I have lost something very special, it was a birthday present," a tear escaped and ran down the little girls cheek.

Fergus listened as the little girl went on to explain that she had been playing near the edge of the brook, watching dragonflies , and hoping to catch sight of a fairy who might be out painting the wild flowers.

It wasn't until much later, that she had missed the pendant from around her neck.

The chain must have snapped causing the necklace to fall to the ground.

She looked up at Fergus, "I have searched, and searched, but I cant find it, it was so pretty with the little blue heart.

It had my name on it too"

Fergus felt his heart race, "What is, your name" he asked.

"It's Catherine!"  she answered." I am called Catherine !"

"Do you have a name?"

When he heard this, Fergus became very excited and begin hopping about.

"Catherine! Catherine! oh my goodness, oh my goodness"

Catherine looked at Fergus, whatever was wrong with the little Frog, she thought Catherine was a pretty name, but not that exciting!

Calming down a little Fergus said  " Wait here, close your eyes, I will be back very quickly"

"Oh and my name is Fergus"

Doing as Fergus bid Catherine closed her eyes tightly, what a funny little frog , but she liked him.

Fergus  returned very quickly, and telling  Catherine to open her eyes and hold out her hand, he dropped the pendant into her open palm.

Fergus watched  as the little girls face lit up with delight.

 "Oh Fergus, you found it, you found my pendant, you are the cleverest, most wonderful Frog in the whole world, the best friend ever."

Fergus puffed out his chest, and blew a great big bubble out of sheer happiness.

"Tell me how you found it Fergus please" Catherine clasped the pendant tightly in her hand.

Fergus explained how he had been resting after playing a game of Pirates, and seeing something blue and sparkly reflecting off the waters of the brook had decided to go and investigate. He had found the pendant laying on the mud amongst the bullrushes.

He had been so pleased to have found lost treasure

Catherine said that she had best hurry home now, and put the necklace safely away, until the chain had been repaired.

"Fergus, meet me here tomorrow,  I will have a surprise for you"

Waving goodbye she hurried off down the path, she was going to make a splendid eye patch for Fergus to wear, and she would borrow her little brother's toy cutlass  Alan wouldn't miss it.

Her new friend Fergus, would really look like a Pirate then.

Fergus entered the kitchen of his home, where Mrs Frog was taking an apple pie from out of the oven.

"Hello Fergus, have you had a nice morning" She cut a piece of pie and poured custard over the top.

Placing it in front of Fergus, she told him to let it cool down before he dipped his spoon in it. 

"I played Pirates, and found buried treasure, that a princess had lost, Princess Catherine"

Fergus picked up his spoon.

"Oh Fergus, you and your Pirate games," Laughing Mrs Frog told Fergus to

"Eat up"

sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Hubert enters a competition.

Hubert  stood and admired his reflection in the dressing table mirror.

He looked very smart dressed as he was in a  black velvet waistcoat, and neatly pressed trousers.

a black and white spotted bow-tie completed the outfit.

He had brushed a little amount of white chalk powder through his fur, and also trimmed his fine whiskers,

Truthfully he was a very handsome looking rabbit.

Oh, but he was feeling very nervous!

For Hubert was going to enter a competition for the position of this years "Easter Bunny" 

The competition was being held at two pm. in the local scout hall. 

 Picking up the information sheet that had been sent along with the entry form for the audition, he let his eyes once again scan the list of  requirements.

1. Candidate must be clean and smartly dressed.

2. Be able to speak in a clear and confident manner.

3. Come prepared with a monologue, song /dance routine. duration not longer than ten minutes. 

4. Impress the judges, with his understanding of what being an Easter Bunny really means.

Hubert folded the paper and placed it in his waistcoat pocket.

Well he was confident about number one on the list.

Hearing whistling, Hubert opened his bedroom window and looked out.

Jake the Wolf, was coming up the path.

Hubert groaned, though Jake was Hubert's best friend, he really didn't want to see him today.

Too late! Jake had spotted him and was waving cheerfully. 

"Morning Hubert, I was wondering if you wanted to come and play in the bluebell woods, we could make a den with twigs and branches."

Jake, looked up at the window, waiting for Hubert to answer.

"Um, well I would love to Jake, but um, I have to go somewhere today,  and it's important, um sorry,"

Hubert was spluttering, he wanted to get rid of Jake quickly, for he wanted to practice his audition piece.

Now Jake was becoming very curious wondering what was this important thing his best friend had to do.

 He would find out just what Hubert was up to.

Grinning slyly he said. "Well can I come in for five minutes, walking all this way has made me thirsty

 I could do with a drink of water. "

"Five minutes that's all, Hubert closed the window and went downstairs to let Jake in.

Jake followed his friend into the kitchen, where Hubert very quickly filled a glass with water and plonked it on the table.

Jake picked up the glass of water and took a tiny sip, he wanted to make his five minutes  stretch at least to ten!

"I must say that you are looking very smart Hubert, what is this important thing that you have to do?"

Hubert fiddled with his bow-tie and said.

"I would rather not say, because although you are my best friend, you always mess about a lot, and I know we have a lot of fun together, but this thing that I want to do is very special!"

Jake looked hard at Hubert, and seeing how serious his friend was he said,

" If I promise not to mess about will you tell me?"

Hubert glared at Jake

"Okay,  I am going to  enter the competition for the position of this year's Easter "Bunny"

"There I have told you now, but don't you dare poke fun"

Jake took a really big swig of water from his glass, he musn't laugh. he really musn't.

This was a rabbit in trouble! who would need all the help he could get.

There was fierce competition for the position of "Easter Bunny" 

He had heard the favourite was Geraint a rabbit from Wales, who was very talented.

As far as Jake knew, Hubert didn't have a good singing voice, and he certainly couldn't dance,

hop maybe, but dance! never!

Putting his glass down, jake said,

"I am not going to poke fun Hubert, what time is the  competion being held.

"Two pm and it's being held in the local scout hall, that's why you can't stay, I have to practice my piece."

Hubert picked up Jake's  empty glass and placed it on the draining board.

"Let me stay and help you run through it" Jake offered," I may be able to give you a few tips."

"Thank you but no, said Hubert, adding gently," because I think we would have very different ideas, considering you are a Wolf."

" Perhaps you really wouldn't understand  what it really takes to become an "Easter Bunny"

Jake could see their may be some truth in What Hubert had said, and asked if could at least come along and offer support by being in the audience.

When Hubert agreed, Jake made his way out the door, saying he would see Hubert later and he would try to sit in the front row, so Hubert would know he was there.

Hubert was shaking with nerves when he entered the scout hall, for a moment he considered turning away and running home very fast!

Then reminding himself how much he wanted to be the "Easter Bunny" he took a deep breathe and made his way to the back of the hall, where a queue was beginning to form in front of a trestle table, where another rabbit sat waiting to collect the entry forms.

Hubert had arrived early, so there wasn't too many entrants in front of him, and when his turn came to hand is form in, he was given the Number Six, and told to go and sit down and wait for his number to be called.

He chose a seat near the side of the stage.

The hall was filling up fast, and becoming noisy with excited chatter, he looked around for Jake but there wasn't any sign of him yet.

Jake dabbed at the ketchup stain on his shirt, the sauce had squirted out all over him when he had bitten into his bacon sandwich at breakfast.

It had been the last of his clean shirts, there was no time to change now, he was going to be late, if he didn't hurry

the doors would be closed, and he wouldn't be allowed into the scout hall and would miss the competition.

He grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the refrigerator and also a meat pie, and put them in a paper bag,

It might be a long afternoon, and he might get hungry. Jake was always hungry.

He made it to the Hall, just as they were about to close the doors, most of the seats were taken, and Jake had to settle for one right at the back.

The lights in the hall dimmed there was a drum roll, and an official looking rabbit entered the stage, he wore spectacles and was carrying a clip board.

Stepping up to the microphone the official looking rabbit addressed the audience.

"Fellow rabbits and guests, welcome!"

"It gives me great pleasure to be invited to judge the competition for this year's  Easter Bunny"

"A very important day in the spring Calendar."

"Marks will be given for appearance, talent, and presentation."

"We hope to find that special something!"

"So please a big  hand for our first contestant"

Glancing down at his clipboard, he said,

"Donna would you take the stage please"

There was a round of applause, as a very pretty rabbit dressed all in pink, rose from her chair and climbed the few steps on to the stage.

She gave a little twirl, while the Judge ticked the box for appearance, then she recited a poem about spring flowers.

Finally she was asked, if chosen, where she would hide the Easter eggs.

"Oh I would place them among the daffodils" she answered.

The audience murmured their approval, while the judge continued to mark his clipboard.

"Thank you Donna next contestant please"

 Next up was a juggling act,

 Followed by a singer,

Then a ballet dancer.

Jake was getting restless, when was it going to be Huberts turn.

He turned to the rabbit next to him.

"Pssst! how many contestants are there" he asked.

"They have narrowed it down to ten, this year, now shush!"

Annoyed, the rabbit turned his attention back to the stage.

"Number five to the stage please"

The judges voice rang out across the hall.

The audience let out a gasp as the fifth contestant entered the stage.

It was Geraint! the hot favourite.

Geraint, looking like a film star, resplendent in top hat and tails and carrying a silver topped cane.

The judge beamed his approval, he would definitely be giving this rabbit ten, out of ten, for appearance.

 Geraint stepped forward and began to sing "Over the rainbow"

filling the hall with his beautiful  rich voice.

Several of the females in the audience took out their handerchiefs and dabbed at their eyes, visibly moved to tears.

He finished to rapturous applause.

When asked where he, would hide the Easter Eggs, Geraint replied,

"In the grounds of a castle"

 This earned another beaming smile of approval from the Judge, who thanked him before calling out

"Number six please",

Jake sat up straight, Hubert was walking on to the stage.

He didn't look very confident, in fact Jake was sure he could see Huberts knees knocking, even though Jake was sitting  at the very back of the hall.

The judge once again gave marks for appearence, before inviting Hubert to step forward and perform his piece.

Poor Hubert, if only he could have known, that in that category, he too like Geraint had scored top marks.

He might have felt better.

He had written a little rap song, and was going to attempt a few dance moves as well.

Hubert opened his mouth to begin, and not a single sound came out.

He swallowed hard and tried again, this time managing to feebly squeak

"I'm the Easter Bunny hiding my eggs"

"Amongst the bracken and fern"

The audience strained to hear what was being said.

The judge was asking him to "Speak up"

Panic stricken Hubert's mind went blank, and he couldn't remember what came next.

Frantically, he went into his dance moves, but his legs shook so much, he lost his balance and landed on his backside.

The audience began to howl with laughter, Hubert was mortified.

He got to his feet, and tried again,and once again he failed, 

This time his voice ending on an even higher squeak.

More laughter rang out, Jake groaned and hid his face in his hand.

This was terrible, poor Hubert.

"Thank you Hubert"

The judge hurriedly made notes on his clipboard.

Hubert left the stage followed by very feeble clapping.

"Can we have number Seven please"

Jake took a bite out of his meat pie, thinking it might cheer him a little, he didn't give much for Hubert's chances, the judge hadn't even bothered to ask Hubert where he would have hidden the Easter Eggs.

Hubert looked around the hall for his friend, spotting him, he pointed to the door indicating that he was going outside.

Jake shoved the remains of his meat pie back in the paper bag, and went to join Hubert.

Hubert was sitting on a wall, looking a picture of misery. 

"Let's go home Jake, whatever made me think I could win this competition, I was hopeless"

Geraint was wonderful!, he is sure to win, thanks for coming, he slid down from the wall and made to made to walk off.

Jake called out after him

"You can't leave now, it will look bad, besides you don't know that you haven't won, come back inside with me,

Hubert, forget your embarrassment, whatever happens it isn't good to be a sore loser"

Jake waited for his friend to turn back.

Feeling a little ashamed Hubert said.

"Your right Jake, I'm sorry, wait a few minutes, then we will go back in.

They re-entered the hall just as the last act was finishing.

The judge stepped up to the microphone once again, and holding  his clip board aloft he said.

"Ladies and gentlemen it seems that I omitted to ask one of the candidates where he would hide the Easter Eggs were he to win the competition, now all candidates should be given the chance to answer, so could number Six! come back up please."

"All eyes turned towards where Hubert sat, blushing furiously, he stood up and looked at Jake helplessy.

Giving him a little push forward, jake said, " Step up and tell what you feel in your heart Hubert"

Hubert looked out at the sea of faces, and began to speak softly.

"To be an Easter Bunny is a wonderful thing, for he holds a special place in children's hearts."

 Loved by children everywhere,  he comes at the start of spring, bringing promises of sunnier days ahead, when fields are sprinkled with buttercups and daisies, catkins hang from the branches of trees, and baby lambs are to be seen playing in the fields"

" It is a time of growth!"

Huberts voice grew stronger, as he continued speaking.

"It doesn't matter where the Eggs are hidden, be it woodland, garden, castle, or in an old tea-pot on a kitchen dresser.

They are placed with lots of love.

Children will find them, wherever they are hidden, the Easter Bunny watches, and smiles, he is so proud to share this magical time ."

"Thank you"  Hubert took a bow. 

All was quiet for a few seconds,

 Then loud cheering broke out, as the audience rose as one, to give a standing ovation.

 Jake leapt on a chair whistling and howing with delight, showing two rows of very sharp teeth, which made a few lady rabbits feel very nervous.

Throwing his clipboard in the air

The judge said

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to announce,

We have our Easter Bunny" 

A surprise for Jake

Hubert poured Marigold another cup of tea, and invited her to help herself to another chocolate biscuit.

Politely thanking him  Marigold  Reached over and taking a biscuit she dipped it in her tea before saying.

"It's lovely to see you again Hubert, I have been intending  to come and visit both you, and Jake, for some time but I have been so busy with my Grandchildren"

Draining the last of her tea, Marigold continued

"Your letter reminding me that it was Jake's birthday today, was just the prompt I needed, and here I am at last"

Hubert smiled at Marigold.

"Oh, and I am so thankful to you Marigold, for your help is going to make Jake's birthday a very special one".

Marigold admitted that she had thought she was going to have a problem in getting Jake's gift delivered in time for his birthday, for most of her friends who had transport, were genuinely busy.

Then Mr Noel had telephoned her last night to say he would be free after all, and that he would collect the gift in his camper van, and bring it over.

She had left the gift safely locked up in her garden shed, and had left the key with a neighbour who would hand it over to Mr Noel when he arrived.

Marigold finished off by saying, that they just had to decide  now what time would be best to begin the party

Mr Noel would be arriving around Lunchtime, if she prepared a light snack of cheese and fruit, just enough to refresh them, maybe  they could start the party about 3pm.

"Oh and Mr Noel will be bringing some of his friends along also.

" Tommy Pipkins is coming with Honeysuckle- rose, and a few of the Elves.

"Oh that's wonderful," said Hubert.

Hubert had met  Mr Noel and his friends  at a Christmas party last year.

He had enjoyed their company, though the Elves had been a little bit boisterous, but thinking about it so was Jake at times.

Hubert wondered what his best friend was doing right now.

Jake was in fact sitting in his kitchen, he had gotten out of bed really early, and had sat waiting as patiently as he could, for the sound of mail dropping through his letter-box.

When he spotted the postman going straight past his window, without stopping, his heart sank.

This couldn't be right, he always received a card from Hubert, Surely His best friend wouldn't have forgotten  what today was.

He had prepared himself a cheese and ham roll, but feeling too miserable too eat he tossed it in the bin.

He was wondering if he should go back to bed, and like everyone else just forget all about his birthday!

  Mr Noel drew up outside Hubert's home and parking the camper van he stepped down from the driving seat.

Sliding open the passenger door, he said "we have arrived" and several excited little elves jumped out, followed closely by "Tommy Pipkins and Honeysuckle-rose.

"Mr Noel is here Marigold "......  Hubert opened his door wide and welcomed his friends inside.

Marigold put down the tray of sausage rolls she had just taken out of the oven, and wiping her hands on her apron went through to greet everybody.

A little later, after they had all finished their snack, and caught up with each other's news, Hubert excused himself and said he thought it was time he left to go and get jake.

Mr Noel told Hubert to go ahead, and in the meantime, he and the Elves would be setting up a few trestles tables, While Tommy, and Honey-suckle rose blew up balloons and hung Birthday banners.

Thanking him Hubert hurried off to call on Jake.

Jake answered the loud knock on his door, he was very pleased to see Hubert standing there.

So,his friend hadn't forgotten him, he must have decided to deliver the card personally.

He waited, expecting at any moment that Hubert would produce an envelope from behind his back and with a smile,thrust it into Jakes hand.

The envelope would contain a birthday card, his birthday card.

Hubert was, smiling,but no card was being produced, he didn't even wish Jake a happy birthday!

Instead he was mumbling something about wanting a favour.

"So can you help?" Hubert looked at Jake.

."Have you been listening jake, I was asking if you could come back to my house and help me lift something heavy"

  Jake swallowed his disappointment,  he had his pride, and if Hubert had forgotten what today was, well Jake

 wasn't going to remind him.

He didn't even bother to ask what it was that Hubert wanted lifting, he just put on a jacket, and agreed to go with his friend.

He hardly said a word as he walked along with Hubert, but felt himself getting angry, with the wide grin the silly rabbit was wearing.

Hubert glanced at his friends miserable face, not long now and Jake would know that his birthday hadn't been forgotten.

As they reached Hubert's house, Jake noticed that Hubert hadn't drawn his curtains that morning.

That was unusual, there was a very smart camper van parked close to the house also.

"Have you got visitors?"  Jake asked

 Hubert was wearing an even sillier grin, and now he was pushing Jake up the path, and telling him to close his eyes.

"What's going on Hubert?" Jake was really puzzled now.

"Please Jake, just close your eyes tightly"

Jake shut his eyes, he heard the front door being opened, felt himself being pulled inside, then Hubert was saying .

"Ready, okay you can open your eyes now Jake."

"Surprise! Surprise!" a chorus of "Happy Birthday" rang out.

Jake glanced around the room, taking in the balloons, and Birthday Banners, the trestle tables full of lovely things to eat,

He felt his whole body fill up with happiness.

There was Mr Noel, with the Elves, beaming from ear to ear, Honeysuckle-rose looking very pretty in a pink dress with matching silk slippers, and Tommy Pipkins with a small fiddle tucked under his arm, and now Marigold was stepping forward

bearing a large decorated sponge cake.

Placing it in the centre of one of the trestle tables, she went up to Jake  and kissing his cheek she handed him a birthday card

The other's followed suit, and soon Jake's arms were full of Cards, all with lovely greetings written on them from his many friends.

Hubert was the last to hand his over, he gave jake a hug, then said,

"Jake before we begin the party, do you think you could help me lift that heavy object that I mentioned earlier?"

"It shouldn't take us too long it's outside in the camper van"

One of the Elves started to giggle, but was quickly silenced by a warning glance from Mr Noel.

Jake readily agreed and followed Hubert out to the van, though he didn't know why it was necessary for everyone to come along.

Hubert opened the back of the van, and bid Jake come forward

"Happy Birtday Jake here is your special gift."

Jake looked into the back of the van, and felt his head spin with excitement.

He was looking at a shiny blue bicycle!

He lifted it out setting it down,he walked around it stroking the saddle, ringing the bell, and squeezing the brakes.

For a while he was quite speechless.

"Give us a lap of honour jake,"

Hubert said,

"Just around the block before we go in and begin the party"

Jake didn't need asking twice, and mounting the bike, he did a wheely, then pedalled off fast and furious,

Much later that night, his tummy full of cake, jelly and ice-cream  jake lay in bed looking at his new bike, which he had carried upstairs and placed in the corner by his bed.

He was so proud of it, and didn't want to be too far away from it.

What a fabulous birthday! what a fabulous Party! and what fabulous friends!

Catherine's Easter Bunny.

Bernie the Bunny was feeling so sad sat amongst the other toys on a shelf in the local charity shop.

 The other toys were friendly enough, and often asked him to join in their games at night when the shop was all locked up and the staff had gone home, but he missed not having a special friend, like the little boy he had once belonged to, now grown up and only interested in the latest computor game. 

He missed the hugs and sharing of secrets, of being clutched tightly for comfort when the thunder clapped and lightning flashed on a stormy night.

He felt the draught from outside, as the shop door was pushed open and a lady entered the shop.

She walked straight past the rails of clothing, and shelves of books, and headed  for the corner where all the toys were.

Smiling at the assistance she told her that she was looking for an Easter Bunny for her little grandaughter,

"one with a bit of character." she added.

She went on to explain, that her grandaughter Catherine attended the local nursery school and that all the children had been asked to take along an Easter Bunny for an Easter Parade that was to take place in the school yard.

There was to be a prize of a large chocolate egg for the nicest Bunny.

"Oh what a lovely idea" the assistance replied and told the lady to have a good browse, as she seemed to remember placing one at the back of the shelf some time ago.

"He may still be there tucked amongst the Teddy bears" she added.

Bernie felt the excitement as lots of butterflies began to flutter in his stomach, the lady was coming nearer she stretched out her hand, she was picking him up!

"Found him" the lady called back to the assistant. She held Bernie out in front of her.

" Oh now you look like a fine easter Bunny, your whiskers are splendid, you have lovely big paws, and your floppy ears are adorable, and I really like the lovely brown shade of your fur

"You are perfect, you are definetly coming home with me"

Money was handed over and Bernie was placed in a large carrier bag, his eyes just peeping out over the top.

He was happy to be out of the shop, but felt nervous, where was he going, would the grandaughter want him,

more importantly would she love him.

Though the lady had said he was adorable!

Catherine watched as her  Grandma took the rabbit out of the bag and sat him on a cushion on the settee in her living room.

"Well Catherine, what do you think of him?" Catherine's grandmother stood back and waited.

Catherine's face broke into a smile, as she picked Bernie up and cuddled him, she stroked his ears,  kissed his cheeks,

buried her face in his plush fur, and told him she loved him.

"He is my special Bunny isn't he Nana, he's my friend!"

"Indeed he is darling, shall we give him a gentle wash, and when he is dry we can brush baby powder through his fur

which will make him smell nice.

Leaving the room to fetch a bowl of soapy water, Catherines grandma glanced back and saw Catherine whispering in the rabbits ear.

Ah, Catherine was sharing secrets already.

Catherine placed a cushion in the dolls buggy, the buggy had been decorated with bright yellow paper chicks which hung from the handles.

Catherine was wearing her best party frock, and a very pretty Easter Bonnet that her Mummy had made.

She was just waiting now for her Grandmother to bring Bernie back, then she would put him in the buggy and they would be off to join in the Easter parade at the nursery.

Bernie was so happy, he sat in the dolls buggy, looking very smart dressed in a striped blazer with silver buttons, and wearing a green satin bow-tie.

He was holding a basket of carrots, not real, but paper ones.

All the children were lined up in the school yard,  their rabbit either sitting in a dolls buggy or pram.

Most of the prams and buggies had been decorated with spring flowers or coloured ribbons.

They made a very colourful sight.

The Children grew restless and began to wriggle impatiently, then a teacher stepped forward and told the children as soon as they saw her sitting at the piano and heard the music, they were to begin the parade.

Catherine was hopping on  one foot eager to get started, she listened carefully for the music to begin, hoping it would be

"Twinkle, twinkle little star"  but the teacher was playing a lively tune that she didn't recognise.

Never mind she happily sang "Twinkle, twinkle little star" anyway, as she pushed Bernie along.

Round the school yard went the children, parents and grandparents beaming with delight as their little ones passed by.

The Music stopped and the teacher held up her hand saying.................."Children all your Easter Bunnies are so lovely, and your buggies and prams look so pretty too.

So it is only fair that you all receive a nice big chocolate egg. However, there is a scroll to be awarded to the most outstanding bunny, Catherine, can your grandmother bring you up to the front please."

Now not quite three years old, Catherine wasn't sure what a scroll was, all she knew was that like her, her Teacher thought that

her Bunny was very special.

Later that night, tucked up in bed , her tummy full of Chocolate, Catherine held Bernie tight, and told him she loved him very much. That he would always be her special bunny.

"Can you keep a secret, she asked Bernie,  it's this........................... "one day I will marry a prince, and even though I am grown up, I will never stop loving you, and the only time I will ever let you go will be to comfort little babies of mine.

Bernie snuggled under the bedclothes, and fell asleep dreaming of adventures, he would be sharing with his special friend Catherine.