Who’s moving into the #SecretGarden?
Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter.
They lived with their Mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fir-tree until one day they heard a rumour that there was a beautiful Secret Garden right at the heart of the city. A garden with a river that was home to eels and lots of fish and a meadow full of cowslips and rare flowers. Peter heard that once a year these gardens ring with sound of children’s voices as they gather in the gardens to enjoy storytellers, performances, music and poetry - he knew he just had to go!
Peter worked hard and eventually persuaded his mother to pay a visit to the gardens. Once there she fell in love with the beautiful flowers, the tranquility and the abundant vegetable patch.
Last week we saw lots of little suitcases in the gardens and we wondered who was moving in so we knocked on the little door and were invited in for tea to meet the family. We asked Mrs Rabbit, her family and friends if they would mind answering the 3 questions that always make us curious.
Mrs Rabbit
Hello my dears i’m Mrs Rabbit and I would love to answer your three questions.
What makes my heart sing? Well nothing does this more than watching my little rabbits, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton Tale & Peter hopping and tumbling around together in the Secret Garden.
What makes my heart sink? The thought that there are nasty human beings out there, like that horrid Mr McGregor, who want to put rabbits into pies.
What advice would I give my 6 year old self? To do everything I could to convince my father not to go into Mr McGregors garden.
Mopsy
Hi my name is Mopsy and I love exploring and bouncing around the Secret Garden with my brother Peter and sisters Flopsy and Cotten Tail.
I sometimes get in trouble with mother because she says I can be very clumsy and disappointing her makes me sad. The other day I accidentally knocked over pots of paint all over her favourite rug and my brother and sister were cross because we were all sent to bed early as punishment. But, they soon forgave me and the next day we were back tumbling and chasing each other around our new home in the Secret Gardens.
Well, what advice would I give my 6 year old self? well I’m not quite six but I hope that I become less bumptious and learn to be less clumsy!
Peter
How do you do, I’m Peter Rabbit!
The thing that make my heart sing, well the opportunity to eat every vegetable in sight of course!
Things that make my heart sink, the thought of getting caught by Mr Mcgregor and following my father into a pie.
I wonder what advice I’d give my bigger six year old self… maybe something like ‘carrots are nice, but broccoli is better, and to remember to keep my brass buttons hidden so they don’t get caught on anything.
Sally
Bore da. Buenos dias. Bonjour and of course good morning to ya. They call me Sallianne or Sally or if I really like ya Sal!
So me I’m a collector of things. Words & worms those are my fav! Sammie she likes worms too, she’s my best mate and we love to exchange words (chirps). Some might call it a gossip! Well it cant be helped, those land folk give us a lot to chirp about.
What makes me sing? Vers, lombrices, vermi, you know worms!
What makes my heart sink? Lack of worms or words! Tis a sad day when there are no worms or words exchanged. No excitement and an empty belly makes Sal a sad swallow.
What would I tell my younger self? Never chirp with your beak full. No words can be heard and worms will go everywhere. No one wins!
Victoria -
What makes my heart sing? Music in the sunshine.
What makes my heart sink? Lack of magic.
What would I tell my younger self? Anything is possible even magic.
Cat
Hello, I’m Cat.
What makes my heart sing? A nice saucer of milk and a scratch behind the ear. What makes my heart sink? Those pesky little rabbits, especially Peter. What advice would I give my 6 year old self? Chase as many mice, birds and rabbits as you can, it’s such fun!
Flopsy
Hello everyone!!! I’m Flopsy, the oldest (and wisest) sister to Peter, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail.
Things that make my heart sing? Taking care of my siblings and keeping them out of trouble.
Things that make my heart sink? Upsetting mother.
What advice would I give my 6 year old self? Life can be hard, but always try and have fun.
Cotton Tail
Hello everybody, my names Cotton Tail and I’m the youngest of all my siblings. Can you keep a secret? My mummy says I’m her little princess. The thing that makes my heart sink more than anything in the world is being away from my family - especially my mummy as I love her to the moon and back!
The thing that makes my heart sing is having fun and playing games! I love playing with my sisters, Flopsy and Mopsy and also my brother Peter. Wow six years old is big! I’m not even close to being 6 yet and I don’t want to get there too quickly as I love being mummy’s baby bunny!
Mr McGregor
Mr. McGregor here.
What makes my heart sing? A steaming rabbit pie!
What makes my heart sink? Rabbits in my vegetable patch.
What would I tell my 6 year old self? Learn to set rabbit traps as soon as you can!
Sammy
Hey there! I’m Sammie, the swallow! The most playful bird you’ll meet! Just to be clear I’m the flying type of bird and not a woman.
What makes my heart sing is when I find my favourite food, roundworms!! and playing with my best friend!!
What makes my heart sink- when Peter and his sisters keep getting chased by the cat and Mr McGregor!
What I would tell my younger self- I would tell myself all the different kinds of foods I can actually eat rather than living off of just ants…
Squeaky
Hello! I’m Squeaky the Mouse! I live in an underground burrow below Mr McGregor’s garden. I like to live there because he grows a variety of yummy fruit and vegetables. I am able to eat them easily and escape easily!
What makes your heart sing?
Watching fruit ripen on the fruit trees. Any type of oats, grains, fruit and seeds, I adore! I also love juggling peas. My siblings and I recently took up pea juggling in our free time. It’s my favourite hobby.
What makes your heart sink?
Cats and Mr McGregor. Both like to chase me and are equally as scary. Beware of them, children! They are not to be messed with!
What advice would you give your six year old self?
Always look both ways to check the coast is clear before leaving your burrow. You never know who you might run into - a cat, Mr McGregor, or even silly Peter Rabbit being chased by Mc McGregor!