Stu introduces himself

My name is Stu. I am a rabbit and I live in the backyard of Saint Mary's Church in a hutch. One day, Father Peter asked me if I would write a letter to all the people who come to Saint Mary's. I told him that I would like to but that I couldn't write, he would have to write for me. I would tell him what to say.

I like being a rabbit! Mainly because I get to eat lots of grass and sleep a lot.

Also, everyone likes me.

I was born on a farm near Casino. One day the family, who live on the farm, brought me to Father Peter. He told them that he would give me a home. So he set about building a special place for me. It is clean and comfortable with plenty of water and fresh straw.

Father Peter makes sure that I have fresh water to drink. lots of hay and fruit to eat. I especially like apples.

I know he likes me because he picks me up and gives me a hug when he says "good night".

I also know that God likes me. At times I can get a bit naughty, especially when I'm bored. Even then, I know that God, like Father Peter, still likes me.

Children, I want you to know that God likes you, too.

Until next time I write, please be good. Next time I shall tell you about my friends.

Stu's friends

Every evening Barry the Bandicoot comes to visit me. Sometimes we sit in the yard and look at the stars. Sometimes we just sit.

"What do you want for Christmas, Rabbit?" Barry asked me.

(Barry never calls me by my name. I find it a little annoying but he has a good heart.)

I had to admit that I really didn't know.

Later that evening, as I got ready to go to sleep, I thought of Barry's question.

"I don't really need anything," I said to myself. "After all, I have plenty of food and water. I have good friends and Debbie, the Presbytery Housekeeper, always gives me a piece of apple every day. "

"As well," I thought to myself, "I have all my friends. There's Maggie Magpie who wakes me up every morning. Then Willie Wagtail always comes to the fence to see if I'm all right. Even Lionel Lizard occasionally comes to visit."

As I snuggled into my hutch I sighed happily, "I already have the greatest present. I'm loved!"

Then I thought for a moment .....

"...... a bunch of carrots would really top everything off!!!!"

Stu and School

"Do rabbits go to school?" I asked Barry the Bandicoot one day.

"Of course, rabbit, everyone has to go to school!" was his reply.

"Can you remember your first day, Barry?" I asked.

"Of course," Barry replied rather impatiently. "I was very nervous at first because I didn't know anyone. All the bush animals were there: Magpie, Wagtail, Lizard. But I soon got used to it."

"What do you do?" I asked.

"Lots of things," Barry replied. "I can't talk now, I can hear the bell."

"I wonder when I will go to school," I thought to myself. Then I spied a delicious piece of apple and forgot all about it.

Stu's first day at school

I usually wake up very early but this morning I woke up extra extra early. It was my first day at school. As I stretched and yawned I must admit that I was a bit nervous. After all, I had never gone to school before. I quickly cleaned behind my ears, as all good rabbits do, and ate my breakfast which Father Peter had put in my bowl the night before.

 "Are you ready, Rabbit?" I heard Barry ask from over the fence. I poked my face out of the hutch."Come on, come on," Barry said, "We'll be late."

As I hopped along beside Barry I had all sorts of questions to ask but as Barry was almost running I did not have time. We arrived at the gate of the school. I wanted to go to home.

Barry grabbed me. "Don't worry, stick with me, rabbit, you'll be right," he said.

I had never seen so many animals and birds. And they were making so much noise. I really wanted to go home. Soon we all found ourselves in a room with yables and chairs and all sorts of pictures on the wall.

"Hello, Stu," a friendly voice said. "I'm Miss Budgie, your teacher. " She was the most beautiful person I had ever met. And I felt all right.