Jittery Jackrabbits

Jerry motioned for the other Jackrabbit children working and playing in the yard to join him. "Come over here," he called as he headed toward the big willow tree, "I know a secret!"

"What is it Jerry?" asked Jarod, the first to follow.

Jill was next, kneeling directly in front of Jerry, holding out her paw to show her big brother the tiny, furry caterpillar she had found on the rose bush. "See Jerry, look how he wiggles!"

Jamie half-heartedly strolled over to the others, dragging her rake behind her.

Jennifer, always the tomboy of the group, somersaulted across the yard. "So, we're all here, what's the big secret?"

"Okay, okay," Jerry began, "I was just upstairs and heard Mama say something VERY special. Mama told Daddy we're going to be adding some new members to our family!"

"Oh!" Jamie cheered, clapping her paws together. "Are Uncle Jimmie and Aunt Jane coming to visit again? They were so much fun and they brought lots of nice presents!"

"No," said Jerry.

"No?" Jamie pouted.

"No," Jerry grinned, "Mama meant babies! We're gonna have new little brothers and sisters...and soon!"

"There won't be enough carrots to go around!" moaned chubby Jarod.

"We're going to be even more crowded!" complained Jill.

"Ooooooh, babies!" cooed Jamie, rocking an imaginary infant in her arms.

"Cry, cry, cry! All they'll ever do is cry!" grumbled Jennifer.

"That's right," Jerry spoke up. "You're all right. There will be lots of problems. That's why we need to do everything we can to help out — so things won't be so hard for Mama and Daddy."

"But..."

"No buts," Jerry said firmly. "This is what we'll do. Jamie, you should be extra careful with your gardening and make sure we have lots of nice fresh lettuce leaves and tender young carrots when the babies arrive. Jill, Mama taught you how to crochet...You get busy and whip up some booties and caps for six to eight new arrivals. (Jackrabbits always have large families.) Jennifer, you're to think real hard and come up with a list of names for the babies. Jarod, you come with me. We're going to get a job and earn some extra money!"

Soon the excitement of Jerry's ideas caught on and all the little jackrabbits were scurrying off to begin their tasks.

Jerry and Jarod hurried down Main Street to Betty Bunny's Bakery where they had seen a sign in the window. Yep, it was still there. The sign read "DELIVERY BOYS WANTED". Rushing inside, Jerry boldly stated, "Mrs. Bunny, we'd like to be delivery boys and work for you."

Betty Bunny's glasses had slipped down her nose and she peered over them into the expectant faces of Jerry and Jarod."Jackrabbits, eh? Never gave much thought to hiring jittery Jackrabbits...wanted Bunny boys," and she turned back to where she had been arranging blueberry muffins on the counter top.

"Please Mrs. Bunny, we can do a good job," Jarod pleaded. "We need the money and you can use the help."

"Guess you're right there young man," she answered, still frowning. "I don't know though...Oh, alright, we'll try you out. Pay is 50 cents for each order you deliver...and it MUST be delivered whole and unharmed in any way. Do you understand? Anything you drop, or spill, or EAT will be deducted from your pay!"

Both boys shook their heads vigorously indicating they understood. They followed her into the big kitchen where shelf after shelf was filled with pies of all flavors, all fresh from the oven that very morning.

Each boy lifted one box from the shelf, read the address on it's tag and ran out the back door of the bakery. Mrs. Bunny threw up her arms in frustration..."I knew it! I knew I shouldn't have hired those jittery Jackrabbits! Look at them run! Not a one of those pies will be safe in their hands! I know it! I just know it!"

Outside the back door of the bakery, the two Bunny children whispered in agreement. "Mother's right you know...Jackrabbits never take a safe step when they can take a giant leap instead!"

Millie Mockingbird, up on a branch just outside the kitchen window, chirped repeatedly, "Look at ‘em run! Look at ‘em run!"

But they were all wrong as Jerry and Jarod proved. Between the two boys, 20 pies were safely delivered that afternoon and Mrs. Bunny handed over $5.00 to each boy saying, "You really surprised me today! You did a great job. Will you be back tomorrow?"

"You bet!" they echoed.

Three days later, when Joy Jackrabbit called her five youngsters into the bedroom to introduce them to their seven new brothers and sisters, they were ready.

Jamie held out her basket of nice tender vegetables.

Jill offered eight sets of booties and caps in all shades of pink and blue.

Jennifer handed her mother a long list of names as, giggling, she and Jill both spoke at the same time..."We didn't know how many you needed Mama!"

Their mother smiled and hugged each one. She dressed each new little Jackrabbit baby in warm booties and cap and, reading down the list of names, she introduced them to the family. "Here's Jeremy, and Justine, and Joseph, and John, and Jane, and June, and Jim. Then she turned her gaze toward Jerry and Jarod. "I haven't seen much of you two lately," she noted.

Jerry and Jarod sat down, one on each side of the bed. We have a surprise for you too Mama," Jerry began.

"We got a job delivering pies for Betty Bunny's Bakery and we were so careful and we didn't drop a one, not a one, and she didn't think we could do it but we did and we worked every day and we got paid 50 cents a pie and..." Jarod exploded in a torrent of excitement... "...here's the money!" Each boy pulled ten one dollar bills from his pocket and laid them on the covers for her to see.

"What a FINE family we have!" exclaimed Joy Jackrabbit, her eyes filling with tears.

Father gave her a loving hug and patted the boys on the back. "Yes we do," he replied proudly. "YES WE DO!"