Fox and Rabbit – A Parable

Once upon a time there was a fox and a rabbit, and they were the very best friends that two friends could ever be. They did everything together. Fox taught Rabbit how to run and play in the leaves and Rabbit taught Fox how to sit so still, that even the wind couldn’t tell he was there. Rabbit and Fox loved each other so much. Then one day, Rabbit noticed Fox was acting a little different. He seemed distant and distracted. Sometimes he showed up late to play, and some days he just didn’t show up at all. He just wasn’t the same old Fox anymore.

“What’s wrong Fox,” said Rabbit. “Why don’t you want to play down by the river anymore?”

“I don’t know Rabbit. I just don’t like to play at the river anymore.”

“Do you want to go play somewhere else? Because I’ve always wanted to explore what’s beyond the steep hill! Let’s go do that!”

“Nah,” said Fox. “I don’t want to play today.”

Fox slinked away and left Rabbit feeling very alone and confused. Did she do something wrong? She didn’t think so, but Fox was acting so different, that she wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

“Maybe I’ll just give him some time,” said Rabbit. “That’s all he needs I think.”

So, Rabbit went about her business, but Fox was never far from her mind. He hadn’t been around in ages and Rabbit was worried that something had happened to him. He missed him dearly. Then one day while she was down by the river nibbling on some fresh clover, she heard a familiar laugh.

“It’s Fox!” she said pricking up her ears. She couldn’t have been more excited!

“After this, let’s go check out that old log up by the blueberry bush.” Rabbit didn’t recognize that voice.

“Oh Mole,” laughed Fox. “You’re always thinking about food!”

“Mole?” thought Rabbit. “Who is Mole?” Scurrying under some brush, she went silent, a camouflaged observer.

“I’ve had so much fun with you lately Mole!” said Fox. “You’re just what I needed!”

Rabbit’s heart sank. “I thought I was what you needed Fox?” she thought.

“Well you know I just like to have fun Fox!” said Mole. “Nothing but fun and games with me!”

“I know,” said Fox. “That’s why you’re my new best friend!”

Still hidden in the bushes, tears streamed down Rabbit’s face. She had never felt so betrayed or lonely in her life. What did Fox mean, his new best friend? When did she stop being his best friend?

Helplessly, she watched Mole climb on Fox’s back, gripping her little claws into his fur.

“Giddy up Fox! Let’s have an adventure!”

“Aye, aye Captain!” said Fox. In a flash he was at full speed down the riverbank, their laughter echoing through the hollow valley, pounding against Rabbit’s empty heart.

Months and months passed. Rabbit did her best to carry on like nothing had happened, but it was so hard. Her heart hurt so much that sometimes she couldn’t eat or even breathe. Her other furry friends did the best they could to console her, but nothing could replace Fox and the love she had for him.

“You just need to forget about Fox,” said Squirrel. “He’s just not worth it.”

Rabbit heard what everyone was saying, and a part of her agreed, but it still didn’t make her heart feel any better. She was going to have to do that all by herself. She didn’t know why Fox did what he did, but somehow, she was going to have to figure out a way to move forward with her life. And that’s just what she did.

Rabbit hunkered down and began thinking about all the good things she already had in her life. She realized how lucky and grateful she was for her family and her friends. She was thankful for the fresh clover to eat and a peaceful safe warren to sleep in at night.

Slowly, Rabbit’s heart began to heal. She began to laugh again. She began to run in the tall grass like she used to.

“I’m so proud of you,” said Squirrel.

“I’m proud of me too,” answered Rabbit. “For the first time in a long time, I feel at peace.”

One day Rabbit was down by the riverbank with Squirrel. They were laughing at Squirrel’s dumb jokes and watching Chipmunk do gymnastics on the old log.

“Hey,” said a familiar voice. Fox gave his ragged tail a little wag. His walk was slow and careful.

“Hello Fox,” said Rabbit. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you around here. You don’t look so good.”

It was true. Fox looked horrible. His once shiny coat was dirty and matted, and he was missing a clump of fur up by his neck.

“Truth is,” said Fox. “I haven’t been feeling so great, especially on the inside.” He hung his snout to the ground, his eyes barely able to meet Rabbit’s.

Rabbit knew how hard it was for Fox to talk about his feelings, but she also wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easy. He’d hurt her terribly.

“Go on,” said Rabbit.

“Well I…here, I brought you this.” He reached his snout up under the scruff of his neck and pulled out a white daisy. “I know how much you like these.”

It’s all Rabbit could do to keep from hopping over to hug him, but she didn’t.

“Thank you, Fox. It was very thoughtful of you.” As she pinned the flower between her ears, she could see Fox smiling. Boy had she missed that smile. “Thanks for stopping by Fox. It took a lot of courage to come here today.”

“Would it be okay if maybe I came around again sometime?” said Fox.

“I would like that,” answered Rabbit.

Fox turned and walked away, only this time there was a little jump in his step.

“What on earth are you doing?” said Squirrel. “Why are you being nice to him? I was ready to box him for you.”

“Squirrel,” said Rabbit. “Did you see him? Did you really look at him? Did you see the dirt on his coat? Did you see the pain in his eyes?”

“He deserves every bit of it,” said Squirrel, “the way he treated you?”

“I know, Squirrel, and I used to want to think that way too. But I’m at a different place in my life. Whatever caused Fox to run off with Mole in the first place is something that only he knows the reasons to. I can’t change what happened, but I also can’t live the rest of my life trying to pretend that I don’t miss him or that I don’t still love him – because I do. I always have and I always will. He is my best friend. Can you understand that?”

“I guess I do,” said Squirrel.

“See Squirrel, one of the greatest gifts we can give is kindness. For Fox to come to the riverbank today and bring me that flower, that was his way of saying sorry. That was his way of reaching out for forgiveness. He looked so sad Squirrel! He looked so lost and broken, and maybe, maybe my job now is to help Fox’s own heart heal. I’m strong enough now that I can.”

“He did look pretty sad,” said Chipmunk. “I’m not surprised though. I heard Mole turned out to be a terrible friend. Ran him ragged all over the countryside, and then was always making fun of him.”

Squirrel put his paw to his cheek, shoving in an acorn. “Well you’re a good friend, and an even better person, Rabbit.”

Rabbit went back to her warren that night feeling like a weight had been lifted. She’d been nervous just thinking about seeing Fox again, and now that she had, she saw what their time apart had done to him. What Mole had done to him. She knew that she didn’t have the kind of heart that hated. It just wasn’t who she was. And seeing Fox in that state made her determined to do what she could to help him heal – on the outside but especially the inside.

A few days later, Rabbit was nosing around up in the meadow chasing Butterfly and Dragonfly.

“Need some help?”

“Fox! So glad to see you again!”

“And I’m glad to see you.” He lifted his head and looked her straight in the eyes. “I’m sorry for being an awful friend Rabbit. I’d been feeling down for awhile and then Mole came along, and I thought that she would make me feel better, and I wouldn’t have to think about what was really troubling me. But as time went on, I realized that Mole just made things worse, but I didn’t know what do to. I didn’t know how to tell you that I was wrong and that I’d made a mistake. I don’t expect you to ever forgive me for what I did or to ever want to be my friend again. I don’t deserve it and I don’t deserve you.”

He turned and slowly began to walk away.

“Hey Fox.”

“Yeah,” he said turning back. “Want to go explore that meadow beyond the big hill? I still haven’t done it. I guess I’ve been waiting for my friend who promised he’d go with me.”

Fox broke out into a gigantic grin. “Of course, I’ll go exploring with you!”

“Excellent!”

“Rabbit, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why? Why do you still want to be my friend?”

“Because I love you Fox. I never stopped loving you. You lost your way for a little bit but now you’re back and that’s all that matters. I’m not saying we’re going to jump right back to where we were, but you’re here and I’m here, and it can be a new beginning if we want it to.”

“I would like that very much,” said Fox.

Rabbit hopped closer to Fox and snuggled her nose against his.

“Glad to have you home.”

“It’s where I belong,” said Fox licking her nose. “It’s where I’ve always belonged. I know that now.”

Moral of the story – If you’re courageous enough to listen, your heart will always lead you back to where you’re supposed to be. Be brave and follow it.