Evening star., 1949-04-03
Rupert, the Rabbit,
Has a Happy Easter
By Moy Frances DevIin, 10
Wiehito, kons.

WtCnHo, Mans.
Rupert, the rabbit, sat In his
little rocking chair and sighed.
His mother and daddy and big
brothers and sisters Che was the
youngest in the family were help
ing paint Easter eggs with the
elder bunnies in Bunnyboro. Rup-
ert sighed again.
"If only could help paint
Easter eggs" he thought, II really
wouldn't make mess like Mother
and Daddy said I would. I'd be
as careful as could be-"
Suddenly an idea struck him.
"Why couldn't I paint some by
myself? he thought. That
would prove to Mother and Daddy
that am really grown up enough.
I'll get Benny to help me and 1t
will be grand fun, too"
He ran out of the house and
over to Benny's house. Benny'S
mother said that Benny was Just
going to come over there. They
skipped back to Rupert's house
and Rupert told his plan to Benny.
"It's wonderful" Benny said,
"but where can we paint them?"
"Oh dear" said Rupert. II never
thought of that before. Let me
see-where could we paint them?"
Benny snapped his fingers. THE
Tree House!" he said. I'VE can
begin today"
"That's q grand idea," said
Rupertf 1--WE been saving my al
lowance for toy battleship but
I'll be glad to spend 1t on a dozen
eggs. Well go over to Bunnys-
boro's store and get some"
Bunnyboro's store was just
around the corner so they only
took about five minutes. Rupert
placed the eggs carefully in a
basket and they went out into
Rupert's backyard and up into
the tree house. Rupert was very
careful not to break any, for he
didn't have any more money.
Benny came behind carrying
the paints. They were very spe-
cial paints and only used at Easter
time, and they were very expen-
sive. At last they were ready to
paint. They painted them with
all sorts of different designs:
Chickens and rabbits and ducks.
and Rupert painted a special one
for his mother Of an Easter hat
exactly like the one she was to
wear. When they were through,
they laid them in the sun to dry
and Benny said he had to go
home. So Rupert said good-by
and ran into the house. Mother
and Daddy were home and they
asked Rupert where he had been.
"Oh, having lots Of fun said
Rupert. And this was the truth,
for he had been having a lot
of fun.
That evening Mr.. Rabbit told
Rupert that he and Mrs. Rabbit
were going to help deliver Easter
eggs. Rupert was overjoyed. for
now he could hide the Easter
eggs for his mother and father
without being noticed. They
washed the dishes and kissed
Rupert and all his brothers and
sisters good-by. Then they
started off to help deliver eggs.
After they had left. Rupert told
his brothers and sisters how he
had painted eggs. They all
thought it was a grand plan and
helped Rupert bring them down
from the tree house. Then they
all went to bed.
When Rupert's father and
mother got home that night. Mrs.
Rabbit reached under the bed for
her bedroom slippers and felt .
basket. She pulled 1t out and saw
1t was q lovely basket full Of col
ored Easter eggs. There was .
little note on top that said:
I hope you like these. mother.
7 have made them myself with
help of no other
But Benny. my friend who lent
me his paints.
And helped me quite willingly,
Without complaints.
There was a rhyme In daddy's
basket, too. and next morning
when Rupert found his Easter
basket, he found this note:
My dear little Rupert. you are
very sweet,
And Just for your kindness. wen
give you a treat.
You'll help with the painting OF
eggs from now on
Until you are tired. and Easter
n gone.