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    W-R-R-R-R!!   I was jolted awake by a

loud noise, it came closer and closer.   All 

alone and frightened, I realized Mom wasn't           Max

back.   Then without warning a blade from a machine cut all 

the grass around our nest.   I sensed danger but could not yet 

hop away; my brother and I nestled down cautiously waiting.

    My brother and I had entered the world on a hot, muggy 

morning, typical for late spring in Florida.   I had felt safe in 

our nest under the big oak tree, even though my eyes were 

not yet opened.   Mom, exhausted and hungry slipped away 

to find food to keep up her strength saying she would be 

back soon.   I had peacefully dozed off as she scampered 

away.

                                 The noise stopped as quick as it  

                            started replaced by voices.   "Well, 

                            look here, Sam, a nest of bunnies, we

                            almost ran them over with the mower.

                            Strange there are only two, litters are

                            usually larger.   They look pretty young;

                            I wonder where the mother is."

                                   "I don't know, Pete, but after we

tore up the nest she'll probably be too frightened to return and 

they are too young to survive on their own."

     "What's the matter Sam? I heard the mower       Colby

stop.   Did you run out of gas already?

     "No, Bertha, we almost ran over these baby

bunnies.   Good thing they were close to these

tree roots and we were able to stop in time.

They are going to need help.   Can you take care of them?

 "Oh goodness they're precious," said Bertha as she bent 

over to get a better look.   "Look, their eyes aren't even open 

yet and they have no fur.   I don't know if I can save them 

but I'll give it a try."

    My brother and I trembled as Bertha

reached down and scooped us up.   Her

touch was gentle, her voice warm and 

kind.

     "Don't be afraid you sweet babies, 

Bertha is going to take good care of you."

She took us into her house and shredded newspaper which 

she layered in the bottom of a large box.   Then she carefully 

placed us into the nest.   It wasn't our fur lined home but it 

was comfortable.   "I'm going to the vet for food and 

instructions.   You babies rest until I get back.

     I was nervous!   Would she come back?

Mom didn't and we both missed her.   What

would we do if Bertha didn't come back?

I missed my Mom, I was exhausted and I 

didn't know what to do about any of it.

    So I did what newborns do, I fell back to sleep.

    A familiar voice woke us up.   Bertha picked me up and          

said, "Come here Hop, it's time to eat."

     I wasn't sure why she called me Hop.   I'm pretty sure Mom 

called me something else.   I curled up in her large 

soft hands: something strange and wet touched my 

                          mouth.                                                                                     

                          "Okay, honey I know this is not as good                   

                            as your mom's milk but it'll help you               

                             survive."

     The formula tasted strange.   It 

certainly didn't taste as good as Mom's

milk, but it filled me up.   When I could

hold no more, she softly stroked me for a

few minutes then carefully laid me back 

in the box.   Then she picked up my brother.

     "Okay, Hip it's your turn.   You're the runt so we'll make 

sure you eat a lot."   Once we were both satisfied, Bertha 

left us alone;   we cuddled together in our newspaper bed 

and fell back to sleep.

     For several days our routine was 

sleeping, eating and listening to 

Bertha.   With each new day we grew

bigger and stronger.   On the tenth 

day my eyes opened, I noticed fur on

my body.   Finally, I saw the woman who was caring 

for us.   She rubbed noses with me like Mom used to 

do. 

     Bertha was very big but I wasn't 

frightened; her touch was gentle and 

caring.   Although she was not our real

mom she was a good substitute.   She

changed our paper each day so it was always fresh 

and clean.   She fed us, held us in her soft hands and 

stroked us lovingly.   But the best thing was how 

she encouraged us, saying how strong our legs were

                             getting, how pretty our fur was

                            and how well we help our ears.   I

                            was relaxed and happy!

     Soon my brother and I were bigger,

stronger and more active.   Bertha put us in a

larger box because we were hopping

around and needed more room.   She began

feeding us real food.   A strange bumping

sound woke me one day and as I raised my

                           eyelids I saw my brother jumping

                           almost to the top of our box.   "Look

                           at me!" he called.   "Bertha was right;

                          I'm not a runt anymore."

                               When Bertha saw what my brother

                          had done she commented,   "Any day

now you boys will be strong enough to go find your mom."  

I was surprised; I thought we'd live with Bertha forever.

     I was going home!   Many thoughts filled my head.

                      I wondered what it would be like.   I 

                      could hardly remember what our home 

                    looked like.   What if we couldn't find our  

                    mom?   What would we do?   I was torn        

between being excited and frightened.

    At six weeks old, Bertha surprised us with an 

announcement.   "Hip and Hop this is your big day!   It's 

time to go find your mother.   You are strong enough to be 

on your own.   Today, I will set you free!"    She sensed our 

apprehension.

    " Don't you worry, you'll be fine. I'll put rabbit food in 

my back yard every day until you learn to find your own.

Besides, I expect you two to come and visit me."     

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