There was a strong prediction about the upcoming event.
After receiving the text messages, all three of them were winding their way through the streets of the suburb. The nights were coming on early and it was getting dark soon after their tea times. They all felt the excitement. The boys had been learning about the birthing process at school and they had known the event was at hand.
They had been walking for some time when they came to their friend’s street. The house was halfway up the long street, but it was easy to find because of the bright street lamp right in front of the house. He was standing there, under the street lamp, waiting for his friends. After greetings they wandered down the side of the house and into the back garden. As they crossed the tiny lawn they could see a dim light coming from the shed.
Their friend pushed the door open slowly and they filed in. They all showed a high degree of reverence as they entered. There was nothing fancy about it. It was dimly lit with only one small, bare globe. Each of them came bearing a gift.
One had brought an apple, picked from a tree in his garden.
One had brought some lettuce leaves his mother gave him, in a plastic bag.
One had brought some baby carrots his father had pulled up and washed for him.
A very large cardboard box, lined with a layer of hay, sat in the back corner. They all moved forward slowly and peered in.
The mother rabbit was laying on her side looking up. The newborn was curled and tucked against her belly.
One by one, the boys laid their gifts down along the inside of the box.
That night, in the shed, the three visitors knew with unspoken certainty that they were witnessing a very special event.