Once upon a time there were four little
rabbits, and their names were
Floppsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter.
They lived with their Mother underneath
the root of a very big fir tree.
(ONE MORNING )
'Now my dears,' said old Mrs rabbit
'You may go into the fields or down
the lane, but don't go into Mr McGregor's
garden.
Now run along, don't get into mischief.
I am going out.'
Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail, who were
good little bunnies, went down the
lane, to get blackberries, but Peter who
was very naughty, ran straight
away to Mr McGregor's garden and squeezed
under the gate!
First he ate some lettuce and some
French beens,then he ate some radishes,
and then, feeling rather sick, he went
to look for some parsley.
But round the end of cucumber frame,
whom should he meet but Mr McGregor!
Mr McGregor was on his hands and knees
planting out young cabbages, but he jumped
up and ran after peter, waving a rake and
calling out, 'Stop, thief!'
Peter was most dreadfully frightened;
he rushed all over the garden, for he had
forgotten the way back to the gate.
He lost one of his shoes among the cabbages,
and the other shoe amongst the potatoes.
Mr McGregor came up with a sieve,which
he intended to pop upon the top
of Peter; butPeter wriggled out just in time,
leaving his jacket behind him.
He rushed into the tooshed, and jumped
into a can.
It would have been a beautiful thing to hide
in, if it not had so much water in it.
Persently Peter sneezed-'kertyschoo! Mr McGregor
was after in no time, and tried to put his foot upon
Peter, who jumped out of the window,
upsetting three plants.
The window was to small for Mr McGregor,
and he was tired of running after Peter.
He went back to his work.
Peter sat down to rest; he was out of breath
and trembling with fright,
and he had no the least idea which way to go.
He was also very damp with sitting
in that can.
Peter began to cry.
After some time, he came out, climbed upon
a wheelbarrow, and peeped over.
The first thing he saw was Mr McGregor
hoeing onions.
His back was turned towards Peter,
and beyond him was the gate!
Peter got down the wheelbarrow,
and started running fast as he could go.
Mr McGregor caught sight of him at
the corner, but Peter did not care.
He slipped underneath the gate,
and was save at last in the wood outside the
garden.
Peter never got stopped running or looking
behind him till he got home to the
big first tree.
( I am sorry that Peter was not feeling well during the evening
his Mother put him to the bed, and made some camomile tea;
she gave dose of it to Peter )
One spoonful to be taken at bedtime;
But Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and
blackberries for supper