Toby was only six years old. He Lived in a big double storey house in England with his mother, father and two brothers Lenny and Dean. Toby was a very quiet boy who played on his own most of the time, his brothers were much too old to play with him. One day when he was a baby his mother went to town with Toby in his pram, like all mothers did back then, she left him outside Woolworths to do her shopping. When his mother arrived back home she was shocked as she realised that she had forgotten about Toby left in town, outside the store and had to rush back and get him. Toby was ok though, he was happy watching the world go by, but he was extra happy to see his mother.

It was Christmas Day and everyone had come to share the day, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters cousins, nephews, nieces, and grandparents all happy to see each other. laughter and jokes, the clatter of pots and pans and noisey kids running around rang through the place. It all got a bit overwhelming for Toby as he picked up his toys from the living room floor and went to look for a quiet place in the house to play. Toby’s father had noticed his son leave, It reminded him of himself as a kid, very quiet, love’s his family dearly but liked spending time on his own too. Picking up a Christmas cracker from of the table Toby’s father went to search for his son knowing he would find him in his bedroom because it was the quietest place in the house.

“Hay Toby would you like some help putting your train track together ?” “Hi Dad, sure!” Well before we get down to work, how about you and l stick to our tradition and pull this cracker together, his father said. “Ok Dad.” Toby replied. When Toby and his Dad pulled on the cracker a green rabbit popped out and landed on the floor, “look Toby, it’s a special green rabbit!” Said his Dad. “Aww Dad, it’s just a dumb rabbit!” Toby replied. ” Look Toby, this special green rabbit lights up in the dark, I’ll show you!” Said Dad. His Dad walked across the room and turned on his son’s lamp and after a few minutes he walked over to the wardrobe, opened the door and placed the rabbit in a dark area on the floor and called his son over. “Look Toby,” his Dad said. Toby walked across the room to where his Dad was and Peeked in the wardrobe. “AWW WOW!” Dad, can I have it, can I have it please?” Toby replied. His Dad laughed, “of course you can son, it’s yours.” That night Toby couldn’t wait to go to bed with his special green rabbit, he didn’t think it was a dumb rabbit anymore.

Nearly a year had gone by since Toby got his special green rabbit, he had always kept it on his bedside table but for some reason on this particular day Toby decided to take it downstairs and keep it in his pocket. As the day wore on Toby sat down in the living room by the fire to watch his favourite television program, Blue Peter and unconsciously took the rabbit out of his pocket and started twiddling it between his fingers. When it was time for bed Toby got up from the front the television, turned to stare at the fire then on impulse threw his rabbit into it and watched it melt away. His mother called out, “TOBY!” “its time to take a bath.” “Ok Mum.” Toby replied. He walked away thinking to himself that he would get his rabbit in the morning when his Mum cleaned out the fire.

That night as Toby lay in his bed thinking about his green rabbit and how mush he missed the small glow that lit up his bedroom he thought to himself, there will be no shadows for me to make on the wall tonight then closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The next morning Toby got up early and ran down the stairs calling out to his Mother; “MUM,MUM!” He shouted as he ran into the living room to where his Mother was sweeping up the ashes from the fireplace. “Did you find my rabbit?” Toby asked. “What?” “No lovey, why?” His mother replied. ” Yesterday I put my green glow rabbit in the fir….” Toby tried to explain but his Mother stopped him. ” you put your glow rabbit in the fire, oh lovey come here.” She said as she reached her arms and cuddled him. ” Darling when you put things in the fire they are gone forever.” She said. Toby cried, but somehow he new that what his Mother was saying was true and made himself a promise that he would never throw any of his cherished toys in the fire again.

Many years have past since that day and Toby has grown up, married, had children and grandchildren of his own, but he has never forgotten the day he threw his green glow rabbit in the fire. So now he would like to share this story with you.