Rabbit looked across the meadow, which was really nice, full of grass and daisies and dandelion and a lot of other green things to eat.
He saw another rabbit approaching, a silky gray one. It hopped closer and sat down in front of Rabbit.
Hello, said Rabbit, twitching his ears nervously. He sniffed. Strange rabbit. He couldn't say whether it was a he-rabbit or a she-rabbit. It seemed to be an it-rabbit, and Rabbit had never met an it-rabbit before.
Hello, answered the rabbit in a very friendly way. Do you like the meadow?
It is very nice, said Rabbit. I like dandelion.
So do I, said the other rabbit.
But why am I here? asked Rabbit.
What do you mean? asked the other rabbit.
Where is Cage? I'm thirsty. I want my water-bottle, complained Rabbit.
This is Freedom, explained the other rabbit.
What is Freedom? asked Rabbit.
It is where there's no cage and water-bottles and humans and assorted food, said the other rabbit. It's Wilderness.
No humans? asked Rabbit, concerned.
No humans, replied the other rabbit.
And Guinea Pig, is Guinea Pig here? asked Rabbit, looking worried.
Who is Guinea Pig? asked the other rabbit.
He and I are in the cage, explained Rabbit. He's my companion.
I see, said the other rabbit. Well, no, he isn't here.
Rabbit twitched his nose. I don't think I like Freedom, he said then.
I'm sorry to hear that, said the other rabbit.
How did I get here? asked Rabbit. I want to go home. I want to go to Cage.
You dreamed here, said the other rabbit. You'll be back in Cage once you wake up. Follow me!
The rabbit hopped away, turning its head until Rabbit followed. They crossed the meadow, passing some butterflies, and then Rabbit heard a very strange sound.
This is Brook, said the other rabbit.
Water was streaming across the meadow. It was murmuring. Rabbit was frightened. Water shouldn't murmur. Water should be silent and nice and in the water-bottle.
You can drink it, said the other rabbit. Look! The rabbit moved close to the water and dipped its mouth into it. Then it looked up again, tiny droplets in its whiskers. It's water, it said. Try it!
Rabbit hesitatingly moved closer and drank. The other rabbit was right. Water. Like in the water-bottle, but not as good. There wasn't any plastic or chlorine in it. But at least it was wet.
Something hit Rabbit's nose - a smell. Rabbit felt he wanted to run.
Stay, said the other rabbit.
What is this? asked Rabbit, his legs almost moving to run away.
It's Fox, said the other rabbit.
What is Fox? asked Rabbit.
It's Danger. But you don't have to be afraid. You're safe as long as you are with me, said the other rabbit.
Something moved across Brook. A gigantic being approached, reddish-brown with pointy nose and ears. The smell became stronger. Rabbit shivered with fear.
Fox ducked and sneaked closer, looking at the rabbits.
The other rabbit suddenly made a very funny sound. Rabbit realized it must be a growl. And the other rabbit was no longer a rabbit. It was a huge being like Fox, but with black fur and even bigger.
Fox froze.
The no-more-other-rabbit barked.
Fox ran away.
How did you do that? asked Rabbit.
The no-more-other rabbit became the other rabbit again. I was Dog, it said. Fox fears Dog.
Can I become Dog, too? asked Rabbit.
No, said the other rabbit.
Why not? asked Rabbit.
Because you're a rabbit, said the other rabbit, and I'm just pretending to be a rabbit.
What are you, then? asked Rabbit, nervously flicking his ears.
I'm me, said the just-pretending-rabbit, I sometimes like to be a rabbit and then I like to be human.
You can be human? Rabbit gasped.
Yes, said the just-pretending-rabbit and changed so that a human child stood in front of Rabbit. The rabbit-now-human-child picked Rabbit up and caressed his head and neck.
That's nice, said Rabbit, snuggling into the rabbit-now-human-child's hands.
Do you want to dream home now? asked the rabbit-now-human-child, put Rabbit back onto the meadow and became a rabbit once again.
Yes, said Rabbit. This is exhausting. I don't understand. I'm tired. And I want to snuggle with Guinea Pig.
All right then, said the once-more-rabbit. Maybe we'll meet again soon.
I hope so, said Rabbit. This was fun.
Yes, it was, said the other rabbit and watched Rabbit disappear.
Then it changed its appearance again, but now it became something that was almost like a dark multicolored shadow lit by a million lights which came out of nowhere and were swallowed by the ever-moving shadow which stood completely still, muttering toneless words. The shadow looked around and then became a fox.
The rabbit-then-shadow-now-fox ran across the meadow until he met the other fox.
Hello, Fox said, still looking scared. Be careful. I saw Dog by the Brook.
I know, said the Dream Fox and smiled a very human smile.
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