11/12/2024
Dedicated to my old man of the rabbitry that passed last night.
RIP Cattail's Juniper (AKA "Turd")
2011-2024
He had spent a good deal of time there lately, for he felt the cold and could not seem to smell or run so well as in days gone by. He had been dreaming in a confused way - something about rain and elder bloom - when he woke to realize that there was a rabbit lying quietly beside him - no doubt some young buck who had come to ask for his advice. The sentry in the run outside should not really have let him in without asking first. Never mind - he raised his head and said "Do you want to talk to me?" "Yes, that's what I've come for" replied the other. "You know me don't you?" "Yes of course" hoping he would be able to remember his name in a moment. Then he saw that in the darkness of his burrow The stranger's ears were shining with a faint silver light. "Yes my Lord", he said "yes I know you". "You've been feeling tired" said the stranger, "but I can do something about that. I've come to ask whether you would join my Owsla. We should be glad to have you and you'll enjoy it. If you're ready we might go along now. You need and worry about them", said his companion "they'll be all right and thousands like them. "If you'll come along, I'll show you what I mean." He reached the top of the bank in a single powerful leap and they slipped away running easily down through the wood.
Watership Down, Richard Adams
