Benny was not your ordinary bunny. While most bunnies were happy nibbling carrots and hopping around meadows, Benny dreamed of grand adventures. His favorite story was about the Rainbow Forest, a magical place said to be full of sparkling trees, singing flowers, and treasures hidden by a clever fox.
One sunny morning, Benny woke up with a twinkle in his eye. “Today’s the day I find the Rainbow Forest!” he declared.
His big sister, Bella, twitched her nose. “Rainbow Forest is just a story, Benny,” she said. “It’s not real.”
But Benny wouldn’t listen. He packed a tiny backpack with snacks (mostly carrots and dandelions) and set off into the meadow. “Stay safe!” Bella called after him.
Benny hopped and hopped until the meadow turned into a thick, shadowy forest. “This must be the beginning of Rainbow Forest,” he said to himself. But instead of singing flowers, Benny heard a low growl.
Out from behind a bush stepped a raccoon with a bright red scarf. “Where do you think you’re going, little bunny?” the raccoon asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
“To Rainbow Forest!” Benny said bravely, even though his paws were trembling a little.
The raccoon chuckled. “Rainbow Forest, huh? If you want to find it, you’ll need to cross Whistle River, climb the Wobbly Bridge, and outsmart the trickiest fox of them all.”
Benny gulped. But then he stood up straight and said, “I can do it!”
The raccoon pointed the way, and Benny hopped off. Soon, he reached Whistle River, which bubbled and gurgled as if it were whispering secrets. Benny spotted a log floating nearby. With a deep breath, he hopped on and used a stick to paddle himself across. “I did it!” he cheered as he reached the other side.
Next came the Wobbly Bridge. It swayed and creaked with every step. “Just one paw at a time,” Benny whispered to himself. He focused hard and didn’t look down, even when the wind made the bridge wobble more. When he finally reached the end, he flopped onto the ground, giggling with relief.
But just as Benny stood up, a tall fox with a golden tail appeared. “Looking for the Rainbow Forest, are we?” the fox said with a sly grin.
Benny nodded. “Yes! Do you know where it is?”
The fox tilted his head. “I might… but first, solve my riddle: What has no wings but can fly, no eyes but can cry, and no legs but can run?”
Benny thought and thought. Then, he smiled. “It’s water! Like a river!”
The fox’s eyes widened in surprise. “Clever bunny! The Rainbow Forest is just behind those trees.”
Benny hopped past the fox and gasped. There it was—the Rainbow Forest! The trees sparkled like jewels, flowers hummed a cheerful tune, and a treasure chest sat under a golden tree.
Inside the chest were shiny marbles and a note that read: “For the brave and clever at heart.”
Benny took one marble as a souvenir. When he got home, Bella was waiting. “You won’t believe what I found!” Benny said, holding up the marble.
Bella smiled. “Maybe Rainbow Forest is real after all.”
And from that day on, Benny became Benny the Brave, the bunny who followed his dreams.