The Story of Polo the Rabbit

Once upon a time there lived a rabbit whose name was Polo. He had brown eyes, snow-white fur and a pair of long elegant ears. Did I mention he had a cute butt? He looked like any other rabbit and if you were to pick him out of the crowd, it would've been just as hard to spot another rabbit. He was ordinary-looking, or maybe a tad more handsome than other rabbits? He went about his days like eating carrots, running races, and going to school like any other rabbit. But the similarity stops there.

You see, he had no friends. He was a bizarre one. He was, to say the least, different. Growing up he didn't get along with other rabbits. To be fair, Polo was nice and he was always eager to help those in need. It's just that no one really understood him. When other rabbits were going to school, he'd skip classes to take a walk, watch the clouds, or study the rivers. He was a curious soul and he was genuinely innocent to the point of being fearless. He didn't care much for toys, the race and the rankings, or even grooming or rabbit beauty products. It would be safe to say that Polo was more in tune with Mother Nature than the rabbits, or his kind.

Polo was also particular in that he liked to talk to the insects such as the bees, the butterflies, or the centipedes. Mind you, the rabbits were an awfully proud race. They ruled over all the other animals in their village including the squirrels, the turtles, and the mice. The rabbits were in charge of rationing the food, setting up regulations, and other social works that concerned basic animal rights. But Polo wasn't like any other rabbits. He befriended the insects just as much as he befriended his fellow rabbits, or any other animals. And because of that, he was often made fun of and he slowly became an outcast.

It was one rainy spring but with lots of sun. The crops grew and grew. They towered over the rabbit village and all the rabbits marveled at their harvest. Among the crops were the carrots, the rabbits' only food. They saw how much carrots they had and they rejoiced. They harvested in joy. They quickly piled up and rationed among the rabbit families. They left none for any other animals. The first night, all the rabbits gathered up and had a feast. They played, ate, ate, and ate. The second night, they had another feast. The third, the fourth, the fifth.. This continued until there were no more carrots left. Yet, it was only the middle of summer. Such foolish rabbits! How could they eat all those carrots before the season is up? So they were forced to go back out in the fields and this time, they harvested the leaves as well as the roots. And by the end of fall, most of the roots in the field were gone. They were quickly depleting and at this rate the rabbits would've exhausted all their resources. Polo became concerned. He told the elder rabbits about the problem, but they were too stubborn and would not listen.

Polo, being a rabbit, could not travel too far because he knew beyond the village and the hills, there were foxes and wild-dogs. So he pleaded the Queen Bee to help him locate a plot of land that he could use to farm. And in return, he would help the bee colonies detect bears with his long years and take shifts on watch. So the Queen Bee found him a hearty acre of land to farm his carrots. Polo gathered up all the carrots he had and planted them. He also started saving up little of the carrots he received and farmed them as well. Polo quickly became exhausted but he continued night after day.

I wish I could tell you that the next spring Polo became a savior and all the rabbits loved him. But such a fairytale-like story belongs in fairytale books.

Before Polo could tell the rabbits about the plot of land where the carrots grew, other rabbits already informed the elders. The credits went onto someone else. And Polo grew weary. He was growing tired of this world and the foolish rabbit ways. He wished he could travel and explore the world beyond the hills, but he also knew that his deeds weren't without purpose. He was helping hundreds of the rabbits stay alive.

Polo the farmer rabbit continued this deed years after years. Polo lived till 9 years, which is a long stretch in rabbit years, but until his last breath he continued to farm without recognition. He did what he did because he believed in his deeds. He loved the rabbits nevertheless and continued to enjoy his life among other animals and insects. As his relationship with the bees deepened, he had the honors of chatting with the Queen Bee which no other rabbit had ever done before. He continued to help the bees out on their bear-watch. He also befriended lots of other insects such as the centipedes, the spiders, and even the fish. But among all the animals, Polo had a true friend that he always talked to. And that's the willow tree at the top of the hill. And it's the same willow tree that housed Queen Bee's hives and colonies. Polo loved to come under the shade of the tree and just share a chat or his dreams with the tree. Sometimes he would come to seek counsel and the tree would give him advice. Polo was a good rabbit. Although not a properly accredited hero, Polo was a hero in his own right. And I'd say there was a sense of joy in Polo's life as well. Actually, I'd say his life was richer and more blessed than any other rabbits I've ever known. And believe me when I say that Polo truly lived his life to the fullest.

Goodbye Polo. We'll all miss you.