‘Twas the Night Before Easter . . . and Ronald’s a Hero
The Easter Bunny is feeling under the weather. Can Ronald and his pals save Easter together . . . ?!?
I hope you enjoy your Easter edition of B-Side Stories, with another appearance from Ronald the Rabbit.
If you haven’t read about this rambunctious rabbit, head into the B-Side archives to check out back-to-back Christmas and New Year’s Eve tales about Ronald and his friends. Now he’s back for another holiday tale, coming to save the day when the Easter Bunny needs him most. This Easter, it’s Ronald to the rescue!
‘Twas the Night Before Easter . . . and Ronald’s a Hero!
by caitlin nicole evans
Dedicated to my best friend Amber, for always coming to my rescue. Thank you for supplying adventure, friendship, plenty of paint, and unwavering support. You’re my hero, buddy . . .
‘Twas the night before Easter, and down in his den,
one rabbit was not really feeling too zen.
It was hard to feel peaceful with all of the stress.
For this bunny’s business was in a big mess.
He had chills and a fever, he wasn’t his best.
Coughing and sneezing, he needed his rest.
The poor Easter Bunny had come down with some flu.
He hummed and he hawed, confused what to do.
That evening his job was delivering treats.
Chocolates and eggs, an assortment of sweets.
After all this was Easter, and he was expected!
But, he could not perform now that he was infected.
He decided he needed some help for the night,
but he wasn’t quite sure who would fit the role right.
He needed a hero, a rabbit with heart.
Someone who’d hop in to play the star part.
It’s really not easy to make Easter run.
You’re the boss of the jelly beans! The egg hunt! The fun!
But, there must be a bunny who could get the job done . . .
Right?!?!?!
The Easter Bunny looked in the phone book for help.
He Googled some rabbits and bunnies on Yelp.
Finally, he called an old friend he could ask,
for a recommendation to take on this task.
RIIIINNNNGGGGGG.
“Santa? It’s Bunny. I’m in quite the bind.
I’m sorry to bug you, but I need help to find
a bunny for Easter, and I need them real quick.
Unfortunately, Santa, I’m feeling soooooo sick!”
“Hello Easter Bunny. What terrible news!
Thank goodness, I know someone perfect to choose.”
Santa gave him an address and wished him farewell.
Then Bunny set off, still feeling unwell.
(Now don’t worry reader, I knew that you’d ask.
I can assure you that Bunny was wearing a mask!)
He arrived at a house with a big doggy door.
Bunny pushed his way in and began to explore.
There were humans all sitting and watching TV,
and a few furry creatures were all he could see.
A hound dog was napping in his big comfy bed.
A fluffy orange cat was being scratched on her head.
In the corner a mouse was eating some scraps.
And one little rabbit was taking a nap . . .
(Of course, YOU know it’s Mitchell, and Connie, and Donald.
And the infamous sleepyhead, Santa’s pal Ronald!)
But, the Easter Bunny had yet to make their acquaintance.
In the meantime, he waited, a practice in patience.
It was crucial to hide from all human eyes,
and keep Easter’s magic a secret surprise.
Finally, the humans retreated to bed,
and that’s when the Easter Bunny popped out his head.
Startling the pets, he sneeze-ily said,
“Greetings to all! Now, don’t be alarmed.
I’m not here to scare you or cause any harm.”
He shook both the paws of Connie and Donald.
Gave Mitchell a pat, then smiled at Ronald.
“Santa has sent me. I’ve come from afar.
There’s a big show tomorrow and it’s missing its star!”
Now, Ronald had been waiting in anticipation,
for his very first Easter. A special occasion.
He was excited for painting some eggs they could hide,
and opening baskets with chocolates inside.
They were all feeling festive for this yearly event.
But, Ronald thought, who’s this guy Santa had sent?!?
“Forgive me, poor Ronald, you’re too young to know.
My name’s Easter Bunny – the star of the show!
Just like St Nick, I’m the bearer of treats.
I’m the infamous rabbit who hides eggs and sweets.
Sadly, this year I am feeling too sick.
But, Santa assured me you’re clever and quick.
Surely, young rabbit, you’ll do just the trick!”
“The trick?” Squeaked young Ronald. Was this Bunny alright?
“Of course,” said the Bunny. “YOU must save Easter Night!”
“I’m expected, of course, to visit each year.
Tomorrow the children must wake up and cheer.”
“All of the children?!?” Ronald just had to ask.
Hiding that many eggs was difficult task.
“Of course, my horse Hank will help lead the way.
In my giant Egg carriage.” (Like Santa’s red sleigh!)
“Hank will whisk you around to every house,
and you’ll hop through each hallway – discreet as a mouse.”
“When the eggs and the chocolate are hid and bestowed,
hop back to the carriage and Hank will then know,
exactly what house is the next you must go.
Don’t worry about time, I’ll give you my locket.”
Then he pulled out a watch from his tailored coat pocket.
“It’s magic you see, just like Santa Clause.
When it starts getting late, you can simply press pause.”
(Wait! Now, why didn’t Bunny just use this old trick to pause Easter Eve, ‘til he wasn’t so sick? The truth is, he’d been thinking that he might retire. This could be a test to see who he would hire. Bunny really felt ill, but now he could see, if one day young Ronald the Rabbit could be . . . the NEW Easter Bunny! The most infamous hare! That night he would note just how Ronald would fare . . . )
Of course, Ronald was nervous. This was quite a big deal.
His first Easter Eve felt a little unreal.
Plus, he was sleepy. It was quarter past eight!
“How, Mr. Bunny, will I stay up so late?”
“The chocolate, of course, and the sugary sweets.”
Ronald, it seemed, would be in for some treats!
But, even with magic to reach every house,
he needed the help of one dog, cat, and mouse.
So, Mitchell, and Connie, and the big hound dog Donald,
all hopped in the egg to assist their friend Ronald!
(If someone had looked out their window that night, they would probably think they were losing their sight! A giant egg carriage being pulled by a horse . . . since all of the reindeer are up north, of course. The big egg was driven by Ronald himself, surrounded by critters. His own furry elves! Yes, a child would think that this must be a dream, if anyone spotted this new Easter team!)
Fortunately, the gang did not cause a riot.
They snuck through each house being sneaky and quiet.
Mitchell so tiny, he crept like a spy.
Donald kept watch, with his keen watchdog eyes.
Connie helped Ronald unpacking the treats.
They all hid them together, the eggs and the sweets.
They ate plenty of sugar to help them work fast,
and the magical pocket watch made the night last.
By pausing the time, they got the job done,
and by working together . . . they even had fun!
(Sometimes, we can have a bit of resistance. Asking for help, or a bit of assistance. BUT, when we put out our paw for a some help, in the end. Life’s often more fun with some help from our friends!)
Though Ronald had been stressed about saving the day,
it turned out the Bunny had gotten his way.
Easter was saved, and no one would know.
That the night had been missing the star of the show.
Ronald saved Easter, before time expired….
But of course, it was late, and now Ronald was tired.
He wanted some tea, and to lay down his head.
To spend the whole morning just snoozing in bed.
But, they had to return the carriage instead.
Exhausted, they all headed back to the lair.
Where they found Bunny waiting, a sneezy, sick hare.
“We did it!” they cheered, and the Bunny cheered too.
“Thank you, dear Ronald! Oh, what would I do.
Without all your friends, and a rabbit like you!
You all are my hero for saving the day.
If I wasn’t so sick, I would ask you to stay.”
But, Ronald was happy to get on the way!
(Remember of course, what Ronald loved best . . . his warm cozy bed and plenty of rest! They’d been hopped up on sugar, but now they were tired. Their chocolate-egg high had finally expired. Even poor Hank was snoring away. Exhausted from pulling the giant egg sleigh!)
They finally returned to their family’s home,
and Ronald retreated upstairs all alone.
He’d join them all later for an Easter fiesta . . .
But, for now all he wanted was one long siesta!
THE END . . .
Wait, wait, wait!
What about Bunny? He finally felt fine.
Was he still thinking that he would resign?
For the whole month of May, Easter Bunny conspired.
Ronald was perfect for the job he’d been hired . . .
But, was this old rabbit so keen to retire?
The thought of it ending, well it brought him to tears.
He decided he’d wait – just a couple more years.
SOOOOOOO . . . .
Next Easter keep watch, for his tall, furry ears.
(And please, if you see him, there’s one more guy to thank . . .
The REAL Easter hero . . . my humble friend, Hank!)
THE END
(for real this time . . .)
Recommended Reading: This April check out The Great Eggscape, by Jory John and Pete Oswald. This author and illustrator duo are two of my favorites with books about cool beans, bad seeds, smart cookies and couch potatoes. I recommend reading ALL their stories, but for this month The Great Eggscape offers an Easter-themed twist about a carton of eggs who get painted up for a game of hide-and-go seek. Except for one egg, Shel who prefers to have a little “me-time” instead. In the end, Shel joins in the fun and learns there’s really nothing better than spending time with your best friends - just like Connie, Donald, Mitchell and Ronald!
Thanks for reading AND listening to B-Side LIVE! Stay tuned for next month’s B-Side Story and remember to share with all your friends. I get by with a little help from all of you! Have an Egg-cellent Easter everyone!
