Peter Cottontail

Peter Rabbit lived in the cozy Old Briar Patch. His tail was fluffy and white as a little snowball. Every morning he loved to hop through the Green Meadow.

One bright morning, Peter had a very big idea. He wanted a grander, fancier name. He sat up tall and said, 'Call me Peter Cottontail!'

Peter hopped out to find his friend Johnny Chuck. Johnny Chuck was sitting by his front door, eating clover. 'Good morning!' said Peter. 'Call me Peter Cottontail!'

Johnny Chuck blinked his small dark eyes and laughed a friendly laugh. 'You look the same old Peter to me,' he said. But Peter just fluffed his white tail and hopped on.

Next, Peter found Sammy Jay perched high in an old oak tree. Peter looked up as far as he could. 'Call me Peter Cottontail!' he shouted proudly.

Sammy Jay opened his beak to answer, but Peter suddenly froze. Peter's nose was twitching very fast. A slim fox with bright red fur was creeping low through the tall meadow grass.

Peter knew he had to run, and he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. His strong back feet went thump, thump, thump across the meadow. He raced straight for the Old Briar Patch.

Peter dove through the prickly briars and tumbled safe inside. The slim fox stopped right at the edge. The thorns were too sharp and the gap too small for a fox to follow.

After a while, the fox gave up and trotted away. The sky turned soft pink and gold, and the meadow grew quiet. Johnny Chuck and Sammy Jay came close to the briar patch to say goodnight.

'Goodnight, Peter Cottontail,' called Johnny Chuck softly. 'Goodnight, Peter Cottontail,' echoed Sammy Jay. Peter smiled, hearing his fine new name on the warm evening air.

Peter curled up in his soft nest of leaves inside the cozy patch. He closed his eyes with a tiny smile. True friends will find you, whatever your name may be.