The Runaway Rabbit sat on the doorstep of his own little house, saying, “By my cottontail, it is time for me to run away!”
He took out his little brown traveling bag and packed it full.
“Packed it full”
He was in such a hurry to run away that he did not even stop to clear off his breakfast table. He did not even stop to wind his clock or lock his front door!
Hippety-hop, lippety-lop, he went down the path, carrying his little brown traveling bag.
“Where are you going?” asked the Whistling Wind.
“Where are you going?” asked the Smiling Sun.
To them both, the Runaway Bunny replied:
He did not tell anyone where he was going. Many years ago he had made up his mind that some day he would run away and visit his grandparents.
Now wasn’t it funny? At this very minute Old Mother Bun was saying:
She wanted a little Bunny to travel up and down the cellar stairs for her.
At this very minute Old Father Bun was saying:
He wanted a little Rabbit to bring in wood and water.
“Took out her field glasses”
Suddenly, without any warning whatever, Old Mother Bun took out her field glasses. And as she looked out of the window she remarked, “I think I see a little figure away over in the field coming this way very fast!”
Old Father Bun put his long ears close to the window to listen.
He had wonderful hearing, and he said, “I think I hear the far-off patter, patter, patter of little feet. Some one is coming. He should be here in five minutes.”
Father Bun took out his watch and kept looking at it, while he went outdoors to wait. He had not long to wait, for the Runaway Bunny soon came in sight. He cried:
He set down his traveling bag and kissed his grandparents.
Old Mother Bun said, “You are our own dear grandson.”
Father Bun said, “Come right inside, my dear.”
The Runaway Bunny was glad to sit down by the kitchen stove and eat cookies as fast as Old Mother Bun took them out of the oven.
Now he had heard the old Rabbits wishing before he had entered the house. So he went pitter, patter, clitter, clatter, down to the cellar and brought up a great green cabbage. He put it into a chopping bowl and chopped it up for dinner.
Then he went pitter, patter, clitter, clatter, down to the cellar and brought up many other good things.
Old Mother Bun said:
“The Runaway Bunny winked one eye”
At this the Runaway Bunny winked one eye; for he never stayed anywhere very long.
He had formed the habit of running away.
He next went with a hop and a skip and a bound, and brought in wood and water.
Old Father Bun was delighted. He said:
The Runaway Bunny looked cross-eyed; but he had a merry time all day.
He said, “Grandmother Bun, what a fine pantry you have!” and “Grandfather Bun, what a fine garden you have! Will you take me riding in your wheelbarrow?”
When evening came he and his grandparents popped corn. And when it was bedtime the Runaway Bunny opened his traveling bag and brought out a brand new nightcap for Old Mother Bun and a brand new pipe for Old Father Bun.
They said:
The Runaway Bunny coughed politely and took his little brown traveling bag and went pitter, patter, clitter, clatter, upstairs.
He put on his little white nightcap and night robe.
Old Mother Bun tucked him up snug and warm in bed, and Old Father Bun sang:
When the little fellow was asleep, Old Mother Bun said:
Old Father Bun remarked:
In the morning the Runaway Bunny was gone!
He left his little brown traveling bag, so it looked as though he intended to come back some time. He also left a polite note to thank his grandparents for their kindness.
The Bunny