Chapter 6: Max Needs Wings

Max, pacing nervously, said, “I don’t know why she’s mad at me… She’s the one who told me to go hunting.”

 Liboo, shaking his head, said, “You’re in big trouble. Rita used to call that bunny ‘Sisi.’”

 Diboo added, “You better not show your face around here again…”

 Max turned to Darchin and pleaded, “You’ve got to help me… You’re always the one who smooths things over when the hens fight.”

 Darchin sighed. “Liboo and Diboo are right; you shouldn’t have eaten Miss Bunny.”

 Max, frustrated, said, “How was I supposed to know they were friends? I saw a fat, plump bunny and thought Rita would be so proud of me.”

 Darchin warned, “You’d better hope Mama Mary doesn’t find out, or you’ll have to leave the meadow for good.”

 Max, now truly worried, implored, “Darchin, I beg you, on your feathers and your beak, please do something!”

 Darchin shot Max a stern look, warning him not to say things like that in front of the rooster. Then she lowered her voice and said, “I heard from Achin and Wachin that there’s a patch of catnip growing in the middle of the meadow. The cats go there every day to jump around on the grass. They have the time of their lives and come back all happy and giddy. Take Rita there, and she’ll have so much fun she’ll forget all about Miss Bunny and fall in love with you again.”

 Max, hopeful, ran into the bushes, grabbed a bunch of grass, and scattered it from the house all the way to the catnip meadow. He then hid behind the grass, waiting to surprise Rita when she was in a good mood.

 In the morning, Rita woke up, ate her breakfast, and Mama Mary was overjoyed. She cuddled her, played some music, danced around, and gave Rita lots of kisses.

 The scent of catnip filled the air, and Rita, feeling dizzy with delight, wandered outside, following the smell. She reached the meadow, rolling around on the grass, from one side to the other.

 Max watched from afar, thinking the time was right to reveal himself and win back her heart. But just as he was about to move, he saw a huge eagle swoop down, grab Rita in its talons, and fly off.

 Max, terrified, chased after the eagle, but it wasn’t long before the eagle disappeared into the distance.