It was a bright spring day, and the little bunnies had run out to play. Benny, who was always a little more curious than the rest, wandered about until he came to a luxuriant garden filled with the sweetest flowers.
“Oh, how beautiful!” thought Benny. “And how sweet they smell. I wonder if all the world is like this garden?”
As he was wondering, he noticed something sparkling near his feet. He went up to it, and saw it was a wonderful large bubble that kept shining with all colors of the rainbow. It must have been made by some child’s soap, and it danced about over the flowers on four delicate little legs like those of a fly. As yet it had not noticed the curious little fellow that was watching it so closely.
Benny sat down on a green bank to look in peace at this wonderful spectacle.
“Do you like the flowers?” at last asked the bubble in a little voice.
“Oh yes!” replied Benny; “they are the most beautiful I have ever seen; but even in our dear forest I am very happy.”
Just then some of his brothers and sisters came up.
“What are you looking at, Benny?” asked Bessy.
“There is a talking bubble above the flowers,” he replied. “Would you like to see her?”
But she had lost sight of them, and began to float away over the tops of the flowers.
“Come back!” cried Benny. “We can all fly with you.”
“I can only carry you away,” said the bubble slowly; “but if you promise never to sink to the ground I shall be happy to take you all.”
“Oh yes! oh yes!” shouted the little bunnies, delighted at the prospect of flight; and they all climbed into the bubble without much ado, it being light as air.
Why, what was that? Up soared the bubble in the air, carrying its dainty passengers with it. Higher and higher it went from flower to flower, above trees and bushes, higher than the tallest tree even, till they saw more than half the world below them and the mountains.
But suddenly a strong air current caught the bubble and carried it straight toward some fir trees that grew on the top of a high rock.
“We shall be dashed to pieces!” shrieked the bunnies. “We shall be lost! We shall be lost!”
But their cries only made the bubble dance in the air more dangerously than ever.
“Bunny, what is the matter?” asked the old nursery-maid, suddenly appearing on the doorstep.
“We are lost—we are lost!” shrieked Benny, bursting into tears. “Hold us fast, brothers and sisters, and we may yet be saved.”
And really the others held each other fast until the bubble lost breath and slowly sank down to the ground.
The first thing to do was to step off the bubble, who was too weak to float away any more. They were just glad to be at home again in the fresh-blown grass, in the shade of the tall hedge, where the old nursery-maid was sitting.
“We will all be happy in our own garden,” cried the little bunnies, cuddling close against each other. “Hippity-hop! Here we are again at home!”
And I do not think you will hear more from the talking bubble; anyway, it has never been found since that day.
This delightful tale, perfect for children’s literature, captures the innocence of adventure while imparting a valuable lesson about family and teamwork. Benny’s journey reminds readers that even in daunting situations, togetherness can lead to safe landings and new adventures.