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The 500 Words' silver winner in the 5-9 age category for 2020 was Lenny T with their story The Old Rabbit. They wrote an incredibly moving story about a rabbit who goes to Heaven. This story can be used as some inspiration for 500 Words 2023. You can watch Joanna Lumley read this incredible story or read it below.

The Old Rabbit

Patrick (Pat) the rabbit was very sad. He was very old, his fur was grey on his paws and around his mouth and his bones were aching. His baby rabbits had all grown up and moved away and had bunnies of their own, his mum and his dad had died many years ago and he missed talking to them but most of all he missed his lovely wife Pearl, all the time. Pat was also fed up of running from the mean farmer who was always chasing him with his gun, he never dug any holes anymore and he only ate the carrots easy to dig up these days.

*Today it was raining and grey, the sky was black, and the grass was muddy and wet, and it was really windy and cold so Pat decided to hide in the barn until the rain stopped before he went looking for carrots. As Pat dried off from the rain he drifted to sleep.

Pat woke up feeling very warm, he could see the bright sunshine coming through the walls of the barn and he could hear rabbit's chilli chilli chat chatting coming from outside.

Pat started to creep outside, his bones felt light and he noticed the fur on his paws was a lovely brown colour like they used to be. Pats bones didn't ache, and he didn't feel sad, but he didn't know why. Outside he noticed the grass was so green it didn't look real - it almost sparkled. It was so soft it felt like he was walking on green clouds! And there were piles of carrots everywhere - with no mud on them - he wouldn't even have to dig them up or wash them!

Then he saw a little way away under a tree, there was a group of about fifty rabbits all whispering and smiling and watching him. Suddenly he saw a beautiful lady rabbit step forward and walk towards him with her arms open and crying. Pat gasped and nearly swallowed his little rabbit tongue! It was Pearl! He ran to her and he kissed her all over her face and he cried, and he said to Pearl 'I have missed you so much my love' and she cuddled him so tight and whispered in his ear.

'I have been waiting a long time for you Pat'.

He then realised he recognised the shapes and voices of the rabbits standing nearby all watching him and smiling - it was his mum and dad. His aunties and his uncles and even his Nan and Grandad! He looked at Pearl dazed, and she smiled, and she said, 'they have been waiting too'. Pat was so happy but so confused as he cried with happiness into Pearls fur he whispered, 'Pearl I am so happy I feel like I am in Heaven'.

To which Pearl replied with a smile 'my wonderful, beautiful Pat, you are.'

By Lenny T

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