*****
It was early evening. Flopsy and Gumdrop were on the edge of Cottontail Pines. The town was surrounded by a grassy field with a thick forest in the distance. The sun was low which cast pretty colors across the cloudy sky.
Gumdrop was busy brushing Flopsy’s large ears. She squeaked, “I just can’t believe it. You’re going to be the Summer Princess. I can’t wait to see you in your dress. I remember it’s made with all sorts of flowers and other pretty things.”
Flopsy stared off towards the horizon. “I never thought that it would happen to me. It’s going to be an experience that I will never forget.”
The mouse pulled the large ear around herself and pretended that it was a pretty gown. “Everyone would notice me more if I was the princess. I would walk around and people would want to talk to me and adore me for my great deeds.”
The rabbit giggled, “You totally deserve it, Gumdrop. You’re always there when I need you.”
Gumdrop crawled up Flopsy’s shoulders and rested on top of her head. “Is it all right if I help you with your dress? It’s been a dream of mine to be the assistant of the Summer Princess. It makes it even more fun since it will end up being my best friend.”
“Of course, you can! I wouldn’t trust that job to anyone but you.”
“Yay!” shouted the mouse with glee.
Flopsy smiled and wrapped her ears around herself. “Being Princess is going to be the best thing ever.”
A sinister voice spoke from the bushes. “Don’t be too sure, silly rabbit.”
Both bunny and mouse called out, “Who’s there?!”
Wily the fox strutted out of a bush with a smirk on his face. “It’s just me. I thought it might be fun to listen in on all your silly conversations.”
Flopsy pointed at the fox, “Wily, what are you up to? Mister Hooty told you not to get yourself into trouble anymore!”
Gumdrop added, “You don’t wanna be driven out of town, do you? It’s not nice to listen in on people’s conversations!”
Wily slowly stepped around the two. “I didn’t hurt anybody by doing it. Besides, you should have other things to worry about. Being the Summer Princes might sound wonderful, but wait till you get up in front of all those people and they see you for all your flaws.”
Gumdrop jumped off of Flopsy’s shoulders and yelled, “Flopsy has no flaws! She’s perfect!”
The rabbit blushed and said, “Well, nobody is perfect. But won’t everybody understand?”
Wily cackled. “When I see someone make a fool of themselves, I like to laugh. Remember several years ago? Remember what happened to Tamale the mouse?”
Flopsy shivered when she thought of it. “She tripped, and everyone fell on top of her.”
Gumdrop was still trying to defend Flopsy. “That isn’t fair! Tamale was very small and everyone didn’t see her when she tripped!”
The fox continued, “And Flopsy here has those big ears that she can trip over. Face it, when you get up in front of that crowd, it will be impossible to keep your composure, and I’ll be sure to stand nearby to add to the laughter!”
Gumdrop approached the fox and pointed angrily. “Go away, Wily! None of this is true! Flopsy will be just fine as the Summer Princess!”
Flopsy seemed rather upset; however, she still rebuked the fox, “I’ll be just fine, and you won’t have anything to laugh at, Wily!”
Wily began to slowly walk away. “We’ll see about that. I’ll be there just waiting for you to make a fool of yourself.”
Gumdrop hugged her best friend, “Don’t listen to him, Flopsy! You’ll be the best Summer Princess that ever was!”
The white rabbit smiled nervously. “I know. Thank you, Gumdrop.” Unfortunately, the truth was that Flopsy was anything but sure about herself. Something about what Wily had said was stuck in her mind, and she was unable to rid herself of it.