[Illustration: The children in this play wear long brown tissue paper
rabbit ears, made over wire and tied around the head by a ribbon.]
(_Mother sings:_)
Now this must be a bunny!
I know it by its ears!
Those gentle wildland creatures,
Such timid pretty dears!
(_Child sings:_)
O, yes, I am a bunny!
I’ve seen you as you pass
My little hidden bower
Built in the wildland grass.
(_Mother sings, seeking to capture child_:)
Pray let me catch you, bunny!
O, let me, rabbit dear,
And take you to the children—
Nay, bunny, do not fear!
(_Child sings, springing away in little leaps_:)
I am a free wild bunny!
To catch me who shall dare!
I am no timid rabbit rabbit—
I am a wild swift hare!
[Illustration: 1. & 2. Child comes out and slowly hops about, with little
leaps and springs.]
[Illustration: 3. Other “hares” come hopping down the room. Child pauses
in rabbit attitude and is joined by the others.]
(_Mother sings, following after child_:)
Nay, bunny, stop and listen,
And tell me many things!
Say, is a hare’s life pleasant?
But no—away it springs!
Stop, stop, and tell me, bunny,
Where stay you when night comes?
(_Child sings_:)
O, all the great green wildland
Is full of little homes!
(_Mother sings_:)
And tell me, pretty bunnies,
What do you have to eat?
(_Children sing_:)
O, twig and leaf and berry
Are bunny’s bread and meat.
(_Mother sings, shuddering_:)
But oh! the owls and foxes
That hunt you for their prey!
(_Children sing, springing away_:)
Then on our leaping long-legs
We bunnies streak away!
[Illustration: 4. Children circle room to seats.]