The Missing Rabbit
Shirley Nkabinde
Shirley Nkabinde

Once upon a time, on a sunny farm, there was a big rabbit family. They lived in a cozy rabbit home. There was Daddy Rabbit, Mommy Rabbit, and ten little baby rabbits. The babies had different colours: four were snowy white like Mommy, and the other six were a mix of brown and white like Daddy.

1

One day, Daddy Rabbit had to visit his brother, leaving Mommy Rabbit in charge of the baby rabbits. While playing, the babies forgot to tell Mommy and wandered off.

2

As the sky turned dusky, mommy rabbit went searching for her babies.

3

When she returned home, she thought she had found all ten.

4

The next day, daddy rabbit returned, and the baby rabbits joyfully welcomed him.

5

As daddy rabbit counted them, he realized there was one missing!

6

Puzzled, he counted again but still found only nine.

7

Concerned, mommy rabbit asked what was wrong, and daddy rabbit explained that there is a missing baby. In a hurry, mommy rabbit suggested they search for the lost rabbit. Daddy rabbit, noticing mommy's worry, decided that he and the other nine rabbits would go look

8

They searched everywhere until they found the missing baby rabbit hiding in a dustbin. Everyone was overjoyed to have him back.

9

Returning home, mommy rabbit hugged her found baby tightly, relieved and happy.

10

Daddy rabbit then taught mommy rabbit how to count and group the baby rabbits by their colors so they would not lose track again. And from that day on, the rabbit family was even closer and more careful about playing together.

11

The rabbit family was whole again after finding the missing bunny. They spent sunny days hopping and playing together, learning new games and sharing adventures. Mommy and daddy rabbit taught their little ones important lessons about staying safe and looking out for each other. From then on, their burrow was filled with laughter and love, making each day a happy bunny day.

12

Glossary

1. Dusky - dark or shadowy in the evening.
2. Concerned - worried or anxious.
3. Overjoyed - extremely happy.
4. Relieved - feeling happy that something unpleasant has ended or has not happened.
5. Burrow - a hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, like a rabbit, as a home or shelter.

13

6. Wandered - moved about aimlessly or without purpose.
7. Puzzled - confused or perplexed.
8. Joyfully - in a happy and excited manner.
9. Group - to arrange or gather together in a collection or cluster.
10. Adventures - exciting or daring experiences.

14
You are free to download, copy, translate or adapt this story and use the illustrations as long as you attribute in the following way:
The Missing Rabbit
Author - Shirley Nkabinde
Illustration - Shirley Nkabinde
Language - English
Level - Longer paragraphs