1 Jack was the fastest rabbit in California.
2 Jack also thought he was the most handsome rabbit in California. He was skinny like a green bean. His ears stood straight upon his head, and they were as tall as the Empire State Building. Jack’s fur was gray and fluffy.
3 Jack did not just hop about through the brush, but his skinny body almost flew through the brush. He hopped so fast that you never even saw his feet hit the ground.
4 One day he saw a flyer inviting all rabbits to enter the 35th Annual Rabbit Run. The winner would win the gold trophy cup filled with the juiciest carrots from Farmer Brown’s garden.
5 Jack knew he had to sign up. After he signed up, he began to practice. Jack had one week before the race, and he wanted to be ready.
6 On the day of the race, Jack saw rabbits from all over. He saw tiny rabbits, medium size rabbits, large rabbits, short-eared rabbits, and long-eared rabbits, white rabbits, black rabbits, spotted rabbits, and all different kinds of rabbits.
7 One of the rabbits had long ears that hung to the floor. He hopped up to Jack and said, “Hi, my name is Marty. I’m from Jackson County. I’m going to win that carrot cup for my Mamma. She has seven baby rabbits that need tending to. What is your name?” Jack just said, “Jack.”
8 Marty continued to talk and talk like Jack was his best friend. Marty talked about his brothers and sisters, Farmer Brown, how barley is good for you, and so much more.
9 Jack listened and looked disturbed.
10 Once it was time for the race, all of the rabbits lined up. Marty was lined up by Jack and wished him luck.
11 Once the race started, Jack was off, and all you could see was a cloud of dust. As Jack was looking behind himself, he ran right into a thorn bush and got tangled up.
12 The other rabbits began to pass by him, yet no one stopped to help except Marty. Jack said, “Marty, what are you doing? You need to go so you can win the cup of carrots for you, Mamma.” Marty said, “You should always stop and help someone in need, and everything else will work out.”
13 Jack felt very bad for feeling annoyed with Marty earlier.
14 Once he got out of the thorn bush, Marty asked Jack if he wanted to race and gave him a wink.
15 Jack said okay and shook his head, and smiled. They asked Lawrence, a lizard, to tell them when to go. Lawrence said, “On your Mark. Get Set. Go!”
16 Jack started hopping into a cloud of dust. Marty just left him in the dust. Marty caught up to everybody and left them in the dust. Marty hopped through the finish line to the gold cup of carrots.
17 Jack shook Marty’s paw and laughing asked him how he did it. Marty said, “It is just the way I am made. My ears hang down, so when I run, they do not catch the wind like yours. I do not have anything to hold me back.”
18 Jack congratulated Marty and started to walk off. Marty yelled, “Come have some juicy carrots with me.” Jack said, “I thought they were for your family?” Marty said, “They are! Friends are family too!”
