The Arrival of Charles Wallace

It’s always difficult to try and explain the beginning of things. When I talk to people about my friends, the rabbits, it always seems as if I start in the middle and then work my way out to both ends. So I guess it is with this entry, for Charles Wallace has come for a visit and I don’t expect that you know the first thing about him.

Where do I begin to explain Charles Wallace? Well first off I suppose I should tell you that he’s surprisingly small, no taller than Bunnie, which, upon first meeting him takes one back a bit, because with a name like Charles Wallace, I just expected more rabbit. But he’s small and brown and, as Bunnie was quick to point out with a sniff, “very round.”

Which is a bit of an exaggeration because although he’s a bit rounder in the middle then the other rabbits, “It’s not”, in the words of Hula, “as if you can put him on his side and roll him down the hill.” And as Harry is quick to point out about his cousin (because Charles Wallace is indeed Harry’s cousin), “a skinny rabbit is not an attractive rabbit” Also it’s very hard when you’re a small rabbit; a little extra weight is a lot more noticeable.

He arrived on the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving towing a big, red wheeled suitcase that was bigger than him. That such a small rabbit should have such a huge suitcase was so curious. All the rabbits were intrigued: what could he possibly have in it? Turns out not that much: four guayabera shirts, two Hawaiian shirts, a few pair of cotton pants, overalls for when he helps Harry out in the garden, pajamas and his toiletries.

When Hula questioned him about the large suitcase Charles Wallace brightened and said, “Ah well, one never does know does one?”

“Know what, Charles?” said Hula.

“Where one will end up. What one might find. You have to leave room for the adventure, the surprises. Plus in a pinch, I can sleep in it.” And he hopped in the suitcase to demonstrate.

“Charles Wallace,” said Hula quite seriously, “that is very creative thinking. Have you ever given much thought to your professional muse needs?”

“Why no,” said Charles. “What does a muse do for one?”

And with that, Hula ushered him into the kitchen to make tea for two and explain the advantages of having a professional muse advising and encouraging his native talents.