The hare's bride

The Hare's Bride.

There once was a time when I was a generous ruler among the lands I now burrow. Now my subjects walked over me without a care in the world, unknowing of my double-crossing and how I needed help desperately. I am the hare. I don't remember my name but I remember my life.

The garden in which I gather my food holds the love of my life. She doesn't know it yet, but she's the one to break this dreaded curse upon me. I Wander onto the garden once more. The soft soil molding to my paws as I pull up a large cabbage licking my lips. The ground had started to harden as winter drew near. This was my final chance to feast. I held it close as I heard the cabin door open. Her angelic voice rang out.

"Shoo shoo! Leave our garden alone Hare!"

I sigh as I look at the love of my life. She is dressed plainly but it compliments her well. I adore it.

"Please come with me, sit on my tail, and come to my hut!"

I pleaded desperately wanting to earn her trust to bring her home. The woman in front of me looked repulsed by my offer and scoffed disgustedly

"No, I will not come to your hut. Now shoo!"

Her angelic voice faltered into something monsterish as I flinched back, running out the gate of the garden and back to my hut in the heart of the forest.

Snow began dusting the ground early the next morning. I was quickly running out of time. I ran back to the garden, sneaking past the gate searching for another cabbage or carrot to add to my stock. I pulled a long skinny carrot from the hardening ground. Once more the angels sang.

"Shoo Shoo, Leave our garden alone Hare!"

I stood on my back paws and pleaded once more

"Please come with me, sit on my tail, and come to my hut!"

She scoffed once more looking down as if I was a diseased rat. Her voice once again rose with demons as she grabbed a broom from the entryway.

"No, I will not come to your hut. Now shoo!"

She swung the broom with such force the ground shook as it made an impact. My fur stood on end anxiously. I pulled the carrot along as I ran once more to my hut.

Tomorrow, tomorrow was the day I made her my bride for my love could not wait. The snow had made a powdered wonderland. Stepping outside I shivered my paws growing numb from the cold snow they traveled on. I ran to the garden, slipping through the gate as ice now blocked my path. My paws stuck to the frozen soil while I searched for yet another cabbage to make the perfect stew. I grab and pull to no avail as the wilting cabbage was frozen like the soil from which it grows.

The front door creaks open wood splintering as the angels themselves have sent her a final time.

"Shoo Shoo, Leave our garden alone Hare!"

Her voice alone was enough to warm my soul and cold desperation left my body as I walked to her. Leaving the frozen cabbage behind, the stem finally snapped from the ground rolling away.

"Please come with me, sit on my tail, and come to my hut!"

I pleaded gently, wanting nothing more than some pity to help me through this curse. Accepting the fate that she will repeat her diminishing words of leave now, or being hit by a broom I watch her movements expectantly. She sighed, her shoulders relaxing glaring at me from above.

"Why would I come to your hut? You're nothing but a rodent." her tone was bitter as she crossed her arms tapping her foot crossly.

I gulped softly, standing up to face her firmly.