He went on a little way and saw some squirrels. They seemed to be having a very good time, and Bunny sat down to watch them at their play. Then he opened his basket and began to eat his lunch, for he was always hungry.
He was so tired then, after his long tramp, that he fell asleep, and he never opened his eyes until he heard a soft “tinkle, tinkle, tinkle.” He opened his eyes, and there stood Susan Cotton-Tail, smiling at him.
Bunny did not know where he was, at first, but he rubbed his eyes hard, and then he asked Susan where she had got the dear little bell that hung around her neck. Susan said it was a reward given her by her teacher for good behavior. Then Bunny was sorry that he had not gone to school, for he liked the “tinkle, tinkle” of that bell.
Susan said that all the rabbits were out looking for Bunny, and that they thought him very naughty.
When Bunny got home, he said that he would go to school now every day if Susan might stop for him. It worked well for a week, then that naughty Bunny got up early and went down to watch the little fishes swimming in the brook. All the rabbits went out to look for him and found him and took him home, as before.
That night Mother Cotton-Tail sat by the fire a long time, thinking. Presently, she crept softly out of the house, shutting the door behind her.
Mother Bunny Cotton-Tail
Seeks Mr. Owl, you see,
And little Bunny Cotton-Tail