Jimmy Lim and Pek Yun Ning
Jimmy Lim:
Jimmy Junior the rabbit loves playing with the other animals in the forest. Kitty Sara and Julio the deer are his best friends. They love playing with the game "rocky rocks" where they each hide their rocks for each other to hunt.
One day, Kitty Sara brought a rock her grandmother bought her from the Owl Shop. It was a multi-coloured rock with a beautiful shine to it. It was the most beautiful rock Jimmy Junior has ever seen. Jimmy Junior really liked the rock very much. There was one more such rock in the Owl Shop and Senior Owl at Owl Shop told him that he will need to bring five carrots to exchange for it.
Jimmy Junior really wanted the rock. He went home and secretly took five carrots from his kitchen when his daddy was not looking. He then went to the Owl Shop to exchange for the rock. He then proudly showed the rock off to his friends in the forest. They were all very impressed by the rock.
When Jimmy Junior went home that evening, his father was waiting for him at the door. He realised that there were five carrots missing and asked Jimmy Junior about them. Jimmy Junior was scared by the fierce look on Papa's face. He admitted that he took the five carrots to exchange for the rock.
Papa was really angry about what happened. He took out the cane and gave Jimmy Junior five hard strokes - one for each carrot he took. Jimmy Junior learnt the lesson that he should never be dishonest and take what does not belong to him.
Pek Yun Ning:
Jimmy Junior hopped back into the forest, and thought long and hard about what Papa taught him. He realised that what Papa said makes sense. Every morning, Jimmy Junior sees Mama counting carrots, always saving some for a rainy day. Some days, Mama and Papa eat lesser just so that Jimmy Junior has more carrots to eat. Papa did not confiscate the rock in his hand. Should Jimmy Junior continue using it to play "rocky rocks"? Jimmy looked around and saw what his forest friends were doing. Some were planting food, some were harvesting food, some were hunting, and some were preparing for school. Everybody is busy doing something.
Jimmy Junior realised that there was no use for his shiny rock apart than to show his friends that he had something nice. But by doing so, he is depriving his Mama and Papa of food - now Mama and Papa need to work even harder to earn back five carrots. His friend Kitty Sara comes from a comfortable family. Remembering Kitty Sara's grandmother giving her the rock, and that he had a meal at their place before, he decided to approach Kitty Sara's grandmother. He told Kitty Sara's grandmother his encounter with Papa. Kitty Sara's grandmother said, "Your Papa is right. I would also like to share with you that even though my family has lots of beautiful rocks, we do not keep all for ourselves." Jimmy was puzzled.
Kitty Sara's grandmother asked, "Jimmy, do you really need the rock?" "No," said Jimmy. "Come, let me take you somewhere" said Kitty Sara's grandmother. Kitty Sara's grandmother brought Jimmy Junior a few miles from their home. This place was a little bit dusty, and there Jimmy saw fellow rabbits with dusty furs. They looked like they were mining. Kitty Sara's grandmother said, "Sometimes, I come here and give these miners some warm food and water, and anything else that may help them. It helps me to remember that nothing comes easy. Even though we live a good life now, my father started off as a miner in the caves too." "Jimmy, give your rock to one of them, it will make their day." And so Jimmy did.
When Jimmy went home that evening, he felt entirely different from that morning. He stepped into the house, covered with dust. Before Papa could say anything, he sensed newfound excitement. Jimmy said, "Papa! Today, I gave someone five carrots!" "Five carrots? I thought you used it for your rock?" said Papa. "No Papa! Today grandmother Sara taught me what helping others is! What being a kind forest animal is! Today I also learned that some rabbits don't have proper holes to live in, and sleep in the rain sometimes. These rabbits deserve carrots more than we do. Jimmy Junior would also like to apologise that I certainly do not deserve the five carrots because I am a naughty boy. But Jimmy Junior would like Papa to know that I do not have the rock now, because I have donated it."
A smile crept onto Papa's face. Mama was also there. It looks like they have brought up Jimmy Junior right after all, and that he was mixing with the right friends. Papa softened up, took light footsteps towards Jimmy, and ruffled his fur. "Papa forgives you for what you have done. Every day is a bright new day and we all deserve a second chance. Jimmy Junior, it looks like you have learnt what it means to be a rabbit with a good heart." Jimmy Junior smiled. "We work hard for our keep and live with integrity. We help others who are more in need." Papa said. Jimmy Junior nodded. The story of the shiny rock was ingrained in him for life. Jimmy Junior grew up to be an honest and kind adult - what he managed to accomplish can only be up to our imagination.
