Storytelling Sunday 3: Pick Your Precious

The pancakes have been cooked and eaten, with lashings of maple syrup. The breakfast table cleared and the washing up been done happily by the children. Well maybe not that last one, but a girl can dream. Being the first Sunday of the month, it must be time for a tale or two From High in the Sky with Sian.

The sun is shining here, Spring is hopefully on its way. Seems like just the right time for a tale about a rabbit. This particular rabbit has been part of my story since I was a little girl. He’d be waiting for me, sat on the bed, when I went to stay with my Aunty Kath. I only found out recently that he had a story all of his own.

The rabbit was made by a man who lived in Aunty Kath’s village. He fought during the Second World War and was taken captive by the Japanese. He survived, on a meagre daily portion of rice, until he was freed at the end of the war. When his wife knew he was coming home, she wanted to make something he loved. She scrimped and saved to gather the ingredients. Milk was not a problem, living in a rural village, but sugar was difficult to obtain. None the less she managed it and when he returned she was able to serve up his favourite dessert. Sadly he couldn’t even manage a mouthful. What was it? Rice pudding of course.

The rabbit (called Rabbit) is a little bit faded and a little bit moth eaten these days. He is still part of my story and now sits on my own bed, where I can see him every day and be reminded of happy times spent with my Aunty Kath.