The small brown animal hopped and hopped. Slowly, yet peacefully, making it’s way through a lively forest. The bright green leaves of the trees tinted the filtered, morning sunlight and the rustling of mice was frantic as they prepared for winter, still months away. Detritus littered the ground and made it soft and squishy on the small rabbit’s pink paws. Dew clung to the blades of grass and there were colorful flowers on either side of the path. Birds sang and a soothing breeze carried a delicious scent through the air. The young rabbit paused and sniffed, breathing in the sweet and mysterious floral scent.
It smelled delicious, almost edible. Gradually, the tiny animal started forward, halting every few steps in order to stay on the trail. Soon, the fragrance led him away from the pathway and into the thick vegetation, causing the journey to become much more strenuous. Squeezing underneath thorny bushes, the small rabbit made its way, slowly but surely, towards the scent. Before long, the odor became almost tangible and filled the air all around.
The tiny rabbit searched and searched, looking this way and that, trying to find the cause of the mysterious aroma but instead found himself lost.He was confused, light headed from the intoxicating perfume and shivering from fear. It was dark and cold, the trees glared at him uninviting and off in the distance sounded a crow. The ground was rock hard, not at all what he was used to and it hurt his paws. When had the forest become so uninviting? Why had he allowed himself to be lured into such a dark and scary place? The confused rabbit thought, but all he recalled was a pleasant trip, nothing at all what he saw now. Though the more he tried to remember, the more his memories turned into liquid, slipping out of his grasp.
The day dragged on with no sign of another living creature. The rabbit began to feel lonely and tried to occupy himself by counting the each hop he took from barrier to barrier, 1, 2, 3...a rock...1,2,3,4,5...a stick…. It really was quite boring but with nothing else to do, it would have to suffice. After a long and uneventful journey, the rabbit found himself on another trail. A small spark of hope struck him with the strength of a bullet and happiness filled his eyes. This trail was different than the first, still dark and dreary but at least it led somewhere.
The rabbit gradually started forward with caution, he didn't want to get lost again but within the next two minutes, a tiny drop of sunlight hit the earth ahead. Excitement urged him to go faster, causing him to trip and stumble into the ground before the ray of hope. As he regained his posture, he noticed the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
Her stems were bright and pure green that pulsed with life. Her bell shaped white flower looked mouthwatering and tasty. Unable to resist the urge, the rabbit gingerly bit off a bud. It tasted beautiful, just like the smell he had been chasing. He ate until he was satisfied. Full and fat, the rabbit slowly turned. A strange sensation was overcoming him. A burning in his heart, making it beat faster and faster. With a sudden grace, the rabbit dropped. Dead. The flower had been poison, beautiful on the outside, yet death lurked behind its creative veil.