In a cozy burrow tucked away beneath the dappled sunlight, a little rabbit named Flopsy eagerly awaited her birthday. She had spent days planning—a carrot cake recipe scribbled on a leaf, a makeshift banner of clover leaves, and dreams of hopping joyously with her friends.
But as the sun dipped below the horizon, something felt amiss. The burrow remained quiet, devoid of the usual giggles and chatter. Flopsy’s heart sank. Had everyone forgotten?
Her best friend, Thistle, was usually the first to arrive. Yet, the minutes stretched into hours, and Thistle’s fluffy tail was nowhere in sight. The clover banner drooped, its green fading like Flopsy’s hope.
Flopsy nibbled on a carrot slice, her whiskers twitching with uncertainty. Perhaps they were all busy—collecting dewdrops, chasing fireflies, or playing hide-and-seek in the meadow. But deep down, she feared the truth: her birthday had slipped through the cracks of their busy bunny lives.
As the moon peeked through the burrow entrance, Flopsy made a decision. She would celebrate alone. She donned her daisy crown, the petals brushing against her velvety ears. The carrot cake sat in the center, a single candle flickering. She closed her eyes and made a wish—for friends who remembered, for laughter echoing through the tunnels, for shared moments under the star-studded sky.
Just then, a rustle at the entrance startled her. Thistle stood there, panting, eyes wide. “Flopsy! I’m so sorry—I lost track of time. Happy birthday!”
Behind Thistle, other bunnies hopped in, each with a flower or a twig. They sang a tuneless but heartfelt song, and Flopsy’s heart swelled. They hadn’t forgotten; they had simply been late. The burrow filled with laughter, and the carrot cake disappeared in crumbs.
And so, in the glow of that single candle, Flopsy learned that sometimes, the sweetest memories are made when friends arrive a little late, but with hearts full of love.
