THINGS THE RABBIT TOLD ME
. . .
"Life is simple - only people make it complicated"
A BOOK OF LIFE FOR ALL AGES
Enjoy!
TITLE PAGE
THINGS THE RABBIT TOLD ME a book by Michael A. Coates
‘Things The Rabbit Told Me’ is a story of a young boy and his somewhat reluctant quest to understand the importance of life.
The story is told through the boy’s relationship with his parents, his younger sister, and a very real, yet imaginary character portrayed by a rabbit. The rabbit becomes the boy’s mentor, teaching him life’s virtues, its significance and importance, using the parallels of nature and a rabbit’s simple way of life in the wild as examples.
For
Terrie, Nicola, Alexander, Nigel and Robert, and for Janet — my very own friend and dear sister.
Special Thanks
To Susan Muller for her patience, insights and suggestions and who, in a moment of sheer frustration, pointing out that there are 600,000 words in the English language and they all mean something different!
To Patrick Dargan, for believing in me. For his encouragement, his valuable input, ideas and support, and for not being afraid to share his opinions.
And lastly, to my sister, my family and friends, without whom I would be totally lost in this world.
This book is a fantasy for all ages
At first glance, it may appear to be a book for children, but all situations portrayed in the book stem from everyday adult encounters. When you think about it, adults are merely grown-up children.
It's meant to be read many times as it is written with various levels of subtlety which the reader may not pick up on the first go-around.
At times some of the rabbit’s teachings may appear to be controversial and open for debate. Such controversy is deliberate and is intended to prod the reader to exercise
their own thoughts and ideas.
Let us not forget — while we are all unique, we are all in his life together!
Copyright © 1996–2021 Michael A. Coates
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.
Hard Cover — ISBN 0-9682345-0-X
START HERE - Introduction
Chapters
“Who are you?” asked the rabbit. I was scared but a glimmer of courage tried to surface above my fear and my chest expanded as I whimpered, “I’m a man!” “You’re a what? Speak up. I can’t hear you.” “I’m a man,” I uttered a little louder.
I hadn’t told anybody about my encounter with the rabbit - nobody, that is, except for my dad. I had told him. He was working in the front garden when I got home. I had told him I’d been to the rabbit warren to catch a rabbit because I wanted a pet.
I thought of the rabbit a lot, and every time I did, I kept remembering that time meant life. It was a while before I went back to the field to find the rabbit, partly because of what had happened on my last encounter and partially because my mum had made me feel so guilty about it.
I was not in a particularly good mood. My mother had made me a stuffed rabbit out of some remnants of cloth she had leftover from making some clothes. I wasn't amused. I had talked to my friend about swapping my parents for his. We decided to swap cigarette cards instead.
About
I think, therefore I am!
I am, therefore I create!
I create to express what I think!
Life is but an open field
Don't build fences!