There were gray ones, red ones, brown ones, spotted ones, dark ones, lighter ones… and among them, the smallest, a tiny white Rabbit. He was as white as the goat’s milk when it comes out of the udder and fills the gourd.
This little white rabbit was often sad and angry. When he was left alone by his brothers, sisters and friends, he thought it was because he was white. So he wished his fur were a different color. He didn’t understand that every Rabbit is unique. That each Rabbit has its own personality, its own coat type and its own character. He hadn’t understood that, like all the others, he too was unique and worthy of being a Rabbit like everyone else.
– It’s because I’m white,” he said to himself, “it’s because I’m white.
And when he was sidelined, he would stay in his corner and spin in his thoughts.
Sometimes the others made fun of him because he was the smallest of them all. The others didn’t understand that a little one had to be respected, protected and integrated. So they took the liberty of saying mean words to him, words that hurt the little White Rabbit’s heart.
When evening came and the sun suddenly gave way to the moon, the little White Rabbit didn’t think to curl up against his mother’s soft fur or his father’s long, protective hair. Nor did he think of confiding in his brothers and sisters, sharing his grief for comfort. He’d sit alone, away from the others, and cry softly. He thought of his color, of what others had said to him, done to him, not said to him, not done to him, and he felt bruised and hurt. One Rabbit had bitten his ear, another had pinched his paw, a third had patted him on the back. The little white rabbit hated being treated like this, but he didn’t know what to do to make it stop. He couldn’t see that his thoughts and actions were like a wall. When you’re always sad and angry, nobody wants to be with you. So he stayed in his corner and dreamed. He dreamed, he dreamed, he dreamed. He dreamed of living in peace.
One beautiful morning, the sun rises and a very soft ray wakes up the little White Rabbit. He loves softness. It’s so soothing, so comforting. He feels full of courage. Seeing that the others are still asleep, he discreetly gets up and goes for a walk on the savannah. It’s so beautiful.
What if he met someone who could help him?
Arriving near a splendid flamboyant tree, he suddenly sees a blue butterfly. He knows that the butterfly is wise and delicate, so he decides to ask its advice:
– Hello Butterfly! I’m the little White Rabbit and I’d like to live in peace. I know you’re wise and delicate, but would you like to give me some advice? And he tells her all his troubles.
– I like the fact that you want to live in peace,” said the Blue Butterfly after listening attentively. I like that you’re looking for a solution to your worries. You know, I’ve learned to live in peace too. Before, when I was angry or upset, I used to zigzag through the air and jump on all the insects to devour them instead of calming my anger. The more I ate, the fatter I’d get, and the angrier I’d get, blaming myself for getting fatter. Now, when I’m in conflict, when someone hurts me or doesn’t think like me, I feel my anger, I go a little further, I freeze in the air, close my eyes and flap my wings very quickly while breathing deeply. This creates a beautiful blue light around me, like a bubble, because of my glittering wings. The more I lower my wings as I breathe, the calmer I feel inside me returning. When the calm is there, everything is simpler. Everything is easier. Then I can go to the animal that made me angry and explain why.
– And this is how you live in peace?
– Yes, little White Rabbit. Now remember. You too can calm down by flapping your ears and wagging your tail. If you breathe deeply, you’ll let off steam, get rid of your pain and anger and feel happier. You’ll get the hang of it, you’ll see.
The little White Rabbit is delighted to have received his first piece of advice on living in peace. He thanks Papillon warmly and continues his journey on the savannah.
A little further on, near the marsh, the little White Rabbit meets a Doe who is quietly drinking. The animals of the savannah say that she’s very gentle and gives good advice.
– Hello Biche! I’m the little White Rabbit and I’d like to live in peace. The animals in the savannah say you’re gentle and never argue. Would you like to give me some advice? And he tells her all his troubles.
– I like the fact that you want to live in peace,” replies Doe, after listening attentively. You know, arguing is part of life, and I sometimes argue too. But what I always try to do is find a solution. Talking, listening. My paws are so delicate, I’d rather use them to move around than to kick! On the other hand, I can use my imagination to improve the situation and find solutions. A solution that’s good for everyone. And if it’s too difficult, I’ll go and find old Grandpa Lièvre, he’s so clever! We tell him what’s bothering us, he listens to us, he asks us questions and, after listening to us, he always comes up with an original idea to make our lives more beautiful. When there’s a problem, there’s always a solution!
– And this is how you live in peace?
– Yes, little White Rabbit, it’s important to live with others. Remember that. You too can use your imagination to find a solution. And if you can’t find it, you can ask for help from your teacher or your family. You’ll get the hang of it, you’ll see.
The little White Rabbit is happy to have received his second piece of advice on living in peace. He thanks the Doe warmly and continues his journey on the savannah.
A little further on, the little White Rabbit meets an elephant eating peacefully in the morning sunshine. Everyone knows that the Elephant is majestic and peaceful. Everyone knows that the Elephant listens attentively to others and to all the whispers of the savannah.
– Hello Elephant! I’m the little White Rabbit and I’d like to live in peace. Everyone knows you’re majestic and peaceful. Everyone knows that you always listen carefully to the whispers of the savannah and to each and every one of us. Will you give me some advice? And he told her all his worries.
– I’m glad you want to live in peace,” replies the Elephant, after listening attentively. You know, with my big ears I’ve learned to hear things that others don’t. So if you’re looking for ways to live in peace, listen to me. So if you’re looking for ways to live in peace, listen to me. When I was young, I was a loner, I kept inside what bothered me, and I didn’t listen to anything. I was often angry or sad and I didn’t tell anyone. I sulked alone in my corner. And then I thought only of myself. I didn’t care about other people, I imagined they didn’t want me. But today, you see, I know how to listen inside myself. I’ve also learned to listen carefully to others and to stop imagining things about them or about myself. I can now say what I think, what I want and how I feel. I listen to others because I’m interested in what they feel in their hearts. We know each other better. We understand each other better. We hear each other better. I’m no longer afraid of them and they’re no longer afraid of me.
– And this is how you live in peace?
– Yes, little White Rabbit. Remember, you too can listen. You too can talk. With respect, you’ll avoid a lot of arguments and your life will be a lot happier. You’ll do just fine, you’ll see.
The little White Rabbit is delighted to have received his third piece of advice on living in peace. He thanks the Elephant warmly and continues his journey across the savannah. He feels light-headed and wants to go home. He’s been given advice on how to live in peace, and it’s good for him.
When he arrives, he encounters a group of little Rabbits who are laughing at him. He feels his anger rising, but instead of closing up like the other times, he continues on his way and settles behind a tree. There, like the Blue Butterfly, he flaps his ears and wags his tail to let off steam, and takes a deep breath. This creates a beautiful white bubble around him. A bubble that protects him. It makes him laugh to gesticulate like that all alone behind his tree, and he enjoys the laughter, which makes him feel better. Then, like the Elephant, he listens to the murmurs of the savannah, and it calms him. Then he listens to what’s going on inside him to find a solution like the Doe. He’s amazed to discover that there are ideas inside him. Lots of ideas. So he goes back to the group of little Rabbits and talks to them quietly. He asks them why they’re laughing at him? He tells them how he feels, but also how he’d like to be treated. The others are astonished; they’re not used to hearing the little White Rabbit talk to them. They’re not used to seeing him cheerful either, and this makes them want to take an interest in him. Listening to him, they realize that he just wants to be with them, and that makes them happy.
– I think it’s a shame you’re making fun of me. I wonder how you’d like to be laughed at? You’re colored, I’m white, we’re all unique, how about we play together instead of fighting? I don’t like to be alone and I wonder what games you like. You know, I’m small, so it’s handy for others to have a little one. I can slip into places where others can’t. So, shall we play?
The little Rabbits are amazed. The little white rabbit has never spoken to them like this before, and it motivates them to play with him.
When he came home that evening, the little White Rabbit was really happy and proud.
– It’s not that complicated to live in peace, he says to himself, and over dinner he tells his parents and siblings all about it. He tells them how to paw to let off steam and breathe to calm down, how to talk to find solutions, who to go to for help when you’ve got worries, how to listen to the whispers of the savannah and inside yourself, how to have humor and fun, how to listen and tell the truth to others. His parents listen attentively. They see that he’s confident, that he’s changing, and they’re proud of him. Little White Rabbit is growing up. His brothers and sisters are amazed. Lapin tacheté and Lapin roux feel a touch of jealousy. They haven’t yet understood that they too can follow the right advice to live in peace. There’s no one to envy: good ideas are there for everyone to use.
In his burrow that evening, the little White Rabbit felt good. He knows he can confide in others, share with them and interest them. He thinks about his day and decides to invent new ideas every day to live in peace. Then he gently drifts off to sleep. He now lives in a world that no longer frightens him. He feels safe and secure, at ease with others, free and happy. He is at peace.