Comments on: The (Rather Short) Tale of Arthur Rabbit

By: Lorna Byrne

Lorna Byrne — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:59:18 +0000

Again, another wonderful post, and a lovely story. I remember when you e-mailed me you apologised for being “bossy” (or perhaps a similar word, cannot quite remember) but I didn’t find you that at all; you were just giving very kind, helpful advice, which I have taken (well, I must write more but I will defo make that my new year’s resolution). Yes, it is interesting to learn others’ perspectives on things isn’t it. It’s fascinating how differently people can see things. Anyway I am glad that the rabbit died being warm, and not alone. His passing was inevitable but at least it was not as lonely as it could otherwise have been and he had some comfort xx

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:20:04 +0000

Simply put, I loved this. It *is* humbling to learn that your perspective is not the only one. And it’s equally important to be reminded that we don’t have to shift our perspective/adopt another’s point of view. But it can be rewarding to respect that what we view as “right” may be true for us but not for another. Thanks for sharing this tale and for the wonderful reminder of this truth.

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:20:15 +0000

This is so lovely.
I’m not really a city girl: I’m from NZ, my brother shoots pigs and I am all for letting nature run its course. So I guess I knew people would think me mad to call for help for a wild rabbit. I wasn’t surprised when rescue centres passed the buck and gave me other numbers to call. A part of me also knew that the rabbit wouldn’t make it. But from the moment he fell screaming from that dog’s jaws, (and scream he did) – and landed literally at our feet, I felt responsible for this animal’s wellbeing. He couldn’t run away. He was scared. There wasn’t an atom in my being which would allow me to leave him there breathing heavily on the cold forest floor. Taking him with us seemed like the only option – as bizarre and futile as it seemed to everyone else. [I couldn't read Tweets from my phone, only send them - so it was perhaps a good thing that I didn't receive the wisdom of your rabbit forecast!]
Perhaps it was a selfish move, to try and save something that probably couldn’t be saved. But as soon as we were off, Arthur in the hat – of course, by this stage, we had to name him – it seemed completely right. When he died we were overcome with sadness, for our little friend we had known merely a couple of hours. But it wasn’t really a surprise. I am just glad to know he died in a warm hat, and not shivering on the cold leaves in the woods. x