That One Easter

Here we go again.. I thought as I stared at the calendar on my burrow wall. Easter was here again. That lovely holiday where people get together and let children hunt eggs. I had personally never understood the joy but I was only a rabbit after all. The day was beautiful and warm as I stuck my head out of my burrow. The winter had disappeared fast this year, which I was happy about. My burrow was in the backyard of a nice family’s home. Normally it wasn’t bad but around this time the kids would hunt for me for hours. They were out there now, running around chaotically. I needed to be sneaky getting to the neighbors yard. They kept a garden and I could usually swipe some good food from them. I crept out slowly, not taking my eyes off the kids. I slowly hopped towards the hole in the fence. Once I got close I ran for it, sliding through the hole. I could smell the wonderful garden already. I sat for a moment in the sun. It felt incredible on my fur.

They had decorations up and I had to resist rolling my eyes. I would just stay in my burrow tomorrow and it would be over. I didn’t need to see the ridiculousness that would happen. I quickly got my carrots, two nice big ones. I slowly stuck my head through the fence, the kids were still there. Once I was safely back in my burrow I could relax.
When I was a young bunny, I had enjoyed this holiday. I would get out and let the kids chase me, always keeping a few steps ahead of them. I had lived for this time of the year, the time when I got the most attention. But one year had changed my view. I had been out doing my normal run, the kids flying after me, laughing and having fun. I had thought I was safe but I hadn’t see the kid in front of me. The next thing I knew, I was being held firmly and kids had there hands all over me. For a bunny like me, this was not pleasant. Our kind has very high anxiety you see. I stayed captured for quiet awhile, and finally escaped. After that I swore I would never take part in it again. I couldn’t handle the stress in my old age.

Easter came the next day. Another warm and sunny day, but I was dreading it. I could hear the kids starting, laughter carrying over the lawn. As much as I hated the holiday, I loved hearing the children. It reminded me on my own. There were six of them, all tiny little things. I almost smiled at one little one who could barely walk, just toddling around. The hunt was on, I had watched the parents hide the eggs earlier. I knew where they all were. I counted as they found them, the little girl crawling around was in the lead, and she only had one more. I waited, watching for her to get near it. She just couldn’t seem to find it, even though it was so close. I made a risky decision and slid out of my hole towards the egg. She hadn’t seen me yet. I nudged the egg out a little more, pushing it into her view. She turned and her eyes locked on me. My heart stopped for what felt like minutes as she stared me down. Then she simply smiled, and crawled over and grabbed the egg, completely ignoring me. I slid back into my burrow, a smile on my face. Maybe Easter wasn’t so bad after all.