The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes
This book, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, was first introduced to me several years ago at a baby shower for a mother who was expecting her seventh child. It's a great gift idea for a large family, an expecting or new mom. It would also be a wonderful addition to an Easter basket.
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes
Written by Dubose Hayward and illustrated by Marjorie Flack, this book was unusual for it's time. Mr. Hayward wrote this progressively modern feminist book in 1939, a year before his death. It's a wonderful tale portraying so many young ladies of the day. Little Cottontail Brown Bunny girl grows up dreaming of becoming one of the 5 Easter bunnies. Many laugh at her. That job is usually taken by the tall white male rabbits and the quick long eared male jack rabbits. Never has a woman, let alone a little cottontail been chosen to be an Easter Bunny. Yet, she tells them, "Wait and see."
Time moves on and the little cottontail grows up, marries and before she knows it, she is surrounded by twenty-one little cottontail children of her own. She couldn't possibly be chosen as one of the Easter bunnies now. She is too busy filling her days teaching her little ones to be productive and help around the house. Two by two, she gives each pair a job that they will do on a regular basis. Two wash dishes, two dry. Two bunnies cook while two bunnies sing and two bunnies dance to keep spirits light and happy. Two more make beds, two sweep and two mend all the clothes. Two bunnies are assigned to gardening and two more learn to paint pictures to decorate the home, and the littlest one left is given the task of taking care of Momma's chair. Each one learns responsibility and learns to be self-sufficient and independent.
A few years later, one of the five Easter bunnies has grown too old to carry on and will be replaced. The wise old Grand-father bunny who chooses the Easter bunnies is looking for a bunny who is not only clever and fast but kind and wise as well. No one meets his qualifications, no one except Momma cottontail, the Country Bunny who proves she has been very wise and clever in raising her children. She is very fast ans is able to swiftly keep up with all her little bunnies and in return she is so loved and respected by her bunnies that Grandfather Bunny can see she is a good mother and is very loving and kind to each and every one. Most people would expect a mother of 21 children to be buried by responsibility. However, Momma cottontail has done such a good job training her little ones that they can now manage well without her that one night a year, this Country Bunny can be one of the chosen five Easter bunnies.
Encouragement for Mothers Everywhere
In the world today, the job, calling and role of mother is not well respected nor valued as it once was before the industrial revolution and the feminist movements of the 20th century. For many, those years of raising their young can be overwhelming years of endless chores, helplessness and a sense that no one cares and no one seems to value her as a person nor for the work she does everyday without any recognition. May this little story be an encouragement to mothers everywhere that the time you invest in your children is priceless. It is valuable beyond measure and so are you. Don't let anyone belittle you or make you feel any less than the wise, kind and clever Momma that is doing her very best. Keep your eyes on the prize and tuck this little book, The Country Bunny and the Little Golden Shoes into your child's nightly stack of bedtime stories. It will be one to read and re-read over and over again.
