ONE UPON A TIME there was four little Rabbits, and their names were —
Flopsy
Mopsy
Cottontail
And Peter
They lived with their mother in a sandbank, underneath the root of a very big fir tree. ''Now, my dears, "said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning. "You may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your father had an accident ther; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor." Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out." Then old Mrs. Rabbit took a basket and her unbrella, and went through the wood to the baker's. She bought a loaf of brown bread and five currant buns. Flopsy , Mopsy, amd Cottontail who were good little bunnies, went down the lane to gather blackberries. But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden, and squeezed under the gate. First he ate some lettuces and some French beans; and then he ate some radishes; and then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some parsley. But round the end of a cucumber frame, whom should he meet but Mr.McGregor! Mr.McGregor was on his hands and knees planting out young cabbages, he jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake and calling out, " Stop thief !" Peter was most dreadfully frightened; he rushed all over the garden, for he had forgotten the way back to the gate. He lost one of his shoes among the cabbages, and the other shoe amongst the potatoes. After losing them, he ran on four legs and went faster, so that I think he might have got away altogether if he had not unfortunately run into a gooseberry net, and got caught by the large buttons on his jacket with brass buttons, quite new. Peter gave himself up for lost, and shed big tears ; but his sobs were overheard by some friendly sparrows, who flew to him in great excitement , and implored him to exert himself .
