"This year," thought Buster Bunny, "my visit at Gramma Rabbit's farmhouse is going to to be extra special! Gramma is finally going to enter her carrot pie in the baking contest at the Fall Fair!"
"Gramma, what are you going to do with the prize money when you win the baking contest?" asked Buster.
"Oh dear me!" replied Gramma, "Why I never even thought about actually winning the contest. My goodness, I don't think I would even know what to do with five hundred dollars! I think maybe I'd have to give it to you to help pay for your college funds."
I'd sure know what to do with the money, thought Buster. I'd buy that shiny new sled in Mrs. Squirrel's store window!
"Buster!" called out Gramma Rabbit, "I need you to go to Mrs. Squirrel's store. I need more flower to make the pie for tomorrow's contest."
Buster raced into town so fast that he ran right smack into Myrtle Mouse!
"Buster Bunny, slow down! You're going to hurt someone running so fast." said Myrtle Mouse.
"I'm sorry," said Buster, "I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Where on earth were you going in such a hurry?" asked Myrtle.
"I have to get to Mrs. Suirrel's store before it closes. Gramma Rabbit needs flour to bake her pie for the contest tomorrow." said Buster.
"Everyone knows she makes the best carrot pies in the village," said Myrtle, "I'm sure she'll win."
"Are you entering any contests?" asked Buster.
"I'm afraid not," Myrtle answered, "The children and I will be moving to the big city the day after tomorrow."
"But you can't move!" cried Buster. "I would miss Bobby and Katie and all the other kids too much."
"I know, said Myrtle sadly, "It's just that ever since Mr. Mouse was caught in that trap, he hasn't been able to work. And the bank won't wait for the tax money. We have no choice but to move."
Buster could not believe that he was going to lose his good friends. He was so upset, that he went back to Gramma Rabbit's farmhouse with out ever getting the flour.
Gramma Rabbit knew right away that something was wrong. Buster explained everything hoping to find a solution. And then it hit him right between the eyes!
"Gramma?" asked Buster, "Did you really mean you would give your pie money to me if you won?"
"Why sure I did Buster. I have no need of it. Grampa Rabbit and I are perfectly comfortable, we've no need for such an amount."
Buster's eyes grew big as he realized he had the solution right there....then suddenly it hit him! "Oh no!" shouted Buster, "I forgot the flour!"
Buster was up all night thinking that he might be the reason that Myrtle Mouse and her ten children would have to move. I can't let that happen, he thought. As soon as the sun began to rise, Buster ran as fast as he could to Mrs. Squirrel's. Not realizing how early it was, and began knocking loudly on the storefront's door.
"Who's making all that noise!" screamed Mrs. Squirrel.
"It's me, Buster Bunny." replied Buster, "Let me in, please. I have to get some flour!"
"Come back when the store opens." said Mrs. Squirrel, "and be quiet."
"Please!" pleaded Buster,"It's an emergency!"
Well, now Mrs. Squerril was curious. How in the world could needing flour be an emergency? she thought. "OK, Buster. I'll let you in. But this had better be a real emergency!"
Once Buster explained everything to Mrs. Squirrel she agreed it was an emergency. Buster took the sack of flour and ran all the way back to Gramma Rabbit's. Gramma Rabbit worked as fast as she could, being very careful not to make any mistakes. This pie had to be perfect.
Looking at the clock, Buster realized they had only fifteen minutes to get the pie to the fair in time for the baking contest. He grabbed the pie and ran as fast as he had ever run before. As he got close to the fair grounds, he could see the judges getting ready to judge the pies.
"Wait!" he screamed. "I have a pie for the contest!"
He made it just in time. And no one was surprised when Gramma Rabbit's pie took the blue ribbon. She was so proud of that blue ribbon she forgot about the five hundred dollar prize. The judge was just about to give it to her when she stopped him. "I'm flattered judge, the blue ribbon is so nice, but the money goes to Buster Bunny. After all, if he hadn't run so fast, the pie never would have been in the contest."
"Well then Buster Bunny here. What a nice reward for running so fast." said the judge as he handed the five hundred dollars to Buster Bunny.
Buster held all that money in his hands as he jerked on Gramma Rabbit's sleeve and whispered to her. "Gramma is this money really mine to do what I want to with it?"
"Well I do hope you use it well, but yes Buster it's yours."
Just then Myrtle Mouse came over to congratulate Gramma Rabbit. Buster got a big grin on his face. "Myrtle?" asked Buster "Would you be so kind as to accept this gift from me and Gramma Rabbit?"
"Oh, I couldn't take your prize money Buster. That's yours. I've seen you looking at that new sled in Mrs.Squirrel's window. But thank you deary for thinking of me."
"But you have to take it Buster cried! Please!!!"
By now most of the village knew Myrtle Mouse would be leaving and why, so they all pleaded with Myrtle to accept the gift from Buster. Myrtle had tears in her eyes, you know the happy kind, as she took the money from Buster's hand.
"Oh, my dear bunny, you've made it possible for me and my family to remain in the village. Thank you very very much."
Buster didn't think he could ever feel better inside then he did right now. Everything was perfect. Nothing could make it better. Just then Mrs. Squirrel came over to Buster Bunny.
"Young man, I am sorry I yelled at you this morning. You were trying to help someone in need, and I think that deserves a reward." she said, "So I've decided to give you that sled you've been admiring so much."
WOW....thought Buster. He was speechless, but everyone knew he was happy by the big grin on his face. That's when Buster learned that LOVE is a gift that keeps on giving.
Sassy Learns A Lesson
Betsy's Search For Silence
How to Have Fun With Tomatoes
A New Home For Trixie Still Underconstruction
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