Tiger In The Woods And The Bunny

The Great Forest Hide-and-Seek

It’s every rabbit’s worst nightmare: coming face-to-face with a hungry tiger.

Little Barnaby the Bunny had been hopping through the clover, minding his own business, when—BAM!—he landed right at the paws of a massive, grumbling tiger. The tiger licked his chops. Barnaby’s heart did a triple-flip, but he didn't panic. He knew he couldn't outrun a tiger, but he could definitely outsmart one.

"Wait!" Barnaby squeaked, holding up a paw. "Before you have lunch, don't you want to prove you're the best hunter in the woods?"

The tiger paused, his ears twitching. "I already am the best."

"Well," Barnaby said with a sly grin, "everyone says I’m the Hide-and-Seek Champion. If you can find me, I’ll be the easiest snack you’ve ever had. But if you can't... well, I guess you're just a big kitty cat."

The tiger’s pride was stung. "Fine! I'll play your game. Start running!"

The tiger turned to a giant oak tree, covered his eyes with his heavy paws, and began to count: "One... two... three..."

Barnaby didn't waste a second. He didn't just hide—he vanished. He zipped through the tall grass, zig-zagged over the creek, and disappeared deep into the thickest part of the woods.

"NINETY-NINE... ONE HUNDRED! Ready or not, here I come!" the tiger roared.

He searched behind the berry bushes. He peered inside hollow logs. He even looked up in the birds' nests. But there was no sign of a white tail or a long ear anywhere. After an hour of pacing, the tiger’s stomach began to growl louder than he did.

"Okay, okay! You win!" the tiger yelled, his voice echoing through the trees. "Come out now! I’m tired of playing!"

He waited, hoping the bunny would hop out so he could finally grab his "prize." But the forest stayed silent.

Suddenly, a loud cackle came from above. A monkey swinging from a vine pointed down at the tiger and laughed. "Hey, Stripey! Give it up! That bunny isn't hiding—he’s halfway home by now!"

The tiger realized he’d been tricked. He hadn't just lost a game; he’d lost his lunch!

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