There once was a little bunny who lived in a warm, snug house at the edge of the woods. The house was small and cozy, with soft grass on the floor and a little window where the sun peeked in.
One day it turned cold outside. The bunny was sitting by the fire, sipping hot raspberry tea, when he heard a knock at the door.
"Who's there?" asked the bunny.
"It's me, the goat!" said a voice. "I'm frozen stiff. Please let me stay the night!"
The bunny had a good heart. He opened the door, invited the goat inside, shared his tea, and gave her a warm blanket.
But the goat turned out to be tricky and rude. As soon as the bunny fell asleep, she stomped her hooves and shouted, "Now get out! This is my house! I'm staying here!"
The poor bunny was scared. He ran outside into the cold and sat under a bush, crying softly. Where would he go now?
Along came a little dog named Buddy.
"Why so sad, bunny?" he asked.
The bunny told his story. Buddy jumped up. "Don't worry! I'll help!"
He ran to the house and barked loudly, "Woof woof! Come out, you rude goat!"
But from inside the goat hollered, "Too-too-too! I'll stomp my hooves and butt you with my horns—you better run!"
Buddy got scared and ran away.
The bunny walked on. He met a bear.
"What happened, little one?" asked the bear.
After hearing the story, the bear said, "I'm big and strong. I'll help!"
He went to the house and roared, "Rrroar! Goat, come out!"
But the goat shouted back, "Too-too-too! I'll stomp my hooves and butt you with my horns!"
The bear thought, "What if it really hurts?" and went on his way.
The bunny sat and sighed. Then he saw a rooster coming. Bright feathers, a red comb, and in his claw—a tiny wooden flute.
"Good day, bunny! Why are you so sad?"
The bunny told him everything.
"Let's go together," said the rooster. "We'll think of something."
They went to the house. The rooster sang loud and clear: "Cock-a-doodle-doo! I'm the rooster with the golden comb! I've got a magic flute! I'll play so merrily, everyone will dance!"
And he played a happy tune on his flute.
Inside, the goat heard the music. Her hooves began to tap! Tap-tap, tap-tap! She danced so much she didn't notice she had danced right out of the house!
The bunny quickly ran inside and shut the door.
The goat stopped, looked around, and suddenly realized how naughty she had been. She hung her head. "I'm sorry, bunny. I was wrong. You let me in and kept me warm, but I pushed you out."
The bunny peeked through the window. He had a good heart.
"Come in," he said. "But let's live together, nicely, like good neighbors."
So the goat and the bunny made up. The rooster stayed for supper. The three of them sat at the table, drinking tea with honey, while the night fell outside.
The house glowed with light, smelled of fresh bread, and everyone felt warm and cozy—because it's better to live in peace than to quarrel.