Benny the Brave Bunny and the Forest of Whispers

Once upon a time lay a little brown bunny named Benny. He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest bunny in the warren, but he had something that was far more important—bravery and a very big heart. He particularly liked Granny Willow’s tales of the Forest of Whispers, a creepy place where the trees talked in rustling tones and here far away there lived magical creatures who were difficult to see. Not a bunny dared to go into it even the grown-ups. “ Why is it called the Forest of Whispers? ” asked Benny once to Granny Willow. “Because the trees can speak if you listen closely, ” she said, with a twinkle in her eye. “But people don’t know what they are talking about, so they stay. That night Benny could not sleep, because his curiosity tried to catch up with him like a carrot on a string, so he decided he was going to go into the Forest of Whispers and find out. The next morning Benny got out of his huddle, into a little red backpack with little carrot chips, a blanket and Granny Willow’s lucky acorn that she thought would put him in the right place. As he looked through the tangled vines and out into the cool shade of the trees he felt a change in the air. It was still and quiet- not emptiness. The leaves above him were moving softly despite no wind. Just like they were speaking into each other's ears. “Welcome, little one,” the wind seemed to say. Benny gulped. “It’s just my imagination,” he told himself. He walked further into the wood, his small paws gently hopping under fallen leaves and suddenly he heard something – sniffle – sniffle... hiccup – sniffle – somebody was crying. After the noise Benny saw a little thing hidden under a toadstool, it was a fox cub, hardly bigger than Benny himself, with soft orange fur and watery eyes. “Are you okay?” Benny asked gently. He looked up with alarm. “I got lost. I was chasing fireflies and now... I can’t find my den. ” “I'm Benny. I will help you, ” said Benny happily. “That's why you don’t have to be afraid. We'll figure it out together. ” The cub nodded. “I’m Finn. Benny and Finn were walking through the woods together, listening for the soothing rustling of leaves, the birds pecking, sometimes - what seemed to be soft voices calling their names. “Benny… Finn… this way…” “Did you hear that?” Finn whispered. “Yes, ” Benny agreed fluttering ears. “But do not be afraid. I think the forest is trying to be helpful. Just then a glowing squirrel sped down from a tree in a bolt of golden glitter. “You both are very brave men to have made it this far, ” the squirrel said. “You must walk the paths of the singing stones. They will lead you to the heart of the wood. Before either of them could say anything, the squirrel vanished. “Did that squirrel just talk?” Finn gasped. “Yes, ” Benny said, “and I think we are part of something magic. The two friends found small glow-in-the-dark stones on the ground that hummed softly as they followed them around the trees started to come apart and they came across this beautiful secret grove of silver flowers, light mushrooms and a large tree at the center with a face carved into its trunk. The tree slowly opened its eyes. “Merry welcome brave ones, ” it said in a thick and kind voice. “I am Thistlewood the guardian of the Forest of Whispers. Few things come here with hearts full of courage and kindness. Benny said. “We didn’t know it was intruding, Finn was lost and I wanted to help. ” Thistlewood smiled. “I guess you helped them. Benny, your bravery woke up the old magic of this forest, and Finn, your trust in them brought you to a true friend. ” Then the ground below the big tree caught on to a light and came out of the earth a small carved stone soared up toward Benny. “This is your Hearthstone, ” said Thistlewood. “The monument to your courage. Take it with you, and you’ll find your way. Benny took the glowing stone and put it softly in his backpack somewhere beside Granny Willow's lucky acorn. As the sun was about to set, the woods lighting up a golden trail for Benny and Finn led them back to the edge of Clover Hollow. Finn’s family was waiting, worried but overjoyed to see him. Benny’s parents ran up and hugged him tight. Granny Willow came through the door with a knowing smile. “So – she said softly – you heard the whispers too. Benny smiled. “I did. And they told me the forest is no place for fear. It's full of wonder and friendship. From then on Benny was all over Clover Hollow to be known not only as a bunny but as Benny the Brave Bunny, the bunny who went into the Forest of Whispers and came back with a story that went down like a legend. And one - two times when the wind blew through the trees Benny would smile again and say back, "Thank you.