IN a faraway forest there lived a little rabbit. One fine spring morning our little friend brewed a cup of aromatic blackberry tea and sat at the breakfast table to enjoy his drink.

“What a beautiful morning!” he smiled to himself. “And what a delicacy this blackberry tea is!”

But the moment he stretched his hand to take tea, the table swayed as if shaken by an invisible hand and the cup fell on the floor.

“What was that?” his heart pounding with fright and astonishment, the rabbit stared at the table which was still shaking. Suddenly, a strange sound came from under the table, and — right on the earthen floor of the room — a small mound popped! A petite mole, Tiny, curiously peeped out of his newly dug tunnel, blinking in the sunlight!

“Hello, Bunny! Oh, I seem to have come up in your house! Dear me!” the unexpected intruder sounded genuinely surprised and sorry.

“Yes! And I wonder how you managed to wreck my burrow, too!” frowned the rabbit. “And because of you my aromatic tea spilled!”

“I’m sorry! I am really sorry, dear Bunny!” the mole broke into apologies. “Honestly, I never meant to cause damage to your house! I was making a tunnel to my friend’s warren, but it seems I’ve got lost…”

“Got lost, you say? Haven’t they taught you how to excavate passages?”

“No, no one taught me. In fact, I’ve learnt everything by myself! I’m big enough, you know!” said Tiny proudly.

“Well, well!” the rabbit mused over something for a moment. “I say, buddy, you should take enrolment in the School for Moles! There you will not only gain academic knowledge, but will also learn many useful and practical things that will help you throughout your life!”

“Ew, Bunny! What a nasty idea, indeed! I don’t want to go to any school! It’s so difficult to study there! I better learn everything myself!” Tiny was already nuzzling himself back into the hole, completely ignoring the words of his pal.

“Ta-ta, my friend!” and the drop-in guest vanished as quickly as he had emerged earlier.

“Gee…” the rabbit blew the sigh of disapproval. “One can learn so many interesting things in the school! How can anyone be so lazy not to attend classes?”

He straightened the table, picked a fresh cup from the cupboard and started making blackberry tea again, when he felt that his slippers were getting wet and gushing water was rapidly filling in his cosy burrow!

“My!” his eyes widened in bewilderment. “Is it flood? Where did so much water come from? Help, heeelp!”

Suddenly in the centre of the whirlpool he saw Tiny!

“Oh, Bunny! Please, forgive me! I never intended to flood your home!” the mole broke into excuses.

“So that’s your work, eh?” the rabbit’s glare took on sharpness. “Wow! But how did you…”

“Well, to tell the truth…” the visitor faltered, guiltily, “I got lost, again. It turned out, I miscalculated my moves. Instead of my friend’s place, the tunnel I dug took me straight to the river! And when I thought I was right at the correct spot, water started filling the passageway! I tried my best to mend the leak but still some water reached your burrow…”

“What I’ve been telling you all the time, huh? You must take school admission immediately!” flared up the rabbit. “How long are you going to ramble like this?”

“I promise I’ll improve my skills soon…” Tiny started.

Bunny stated resolutely, “Come with me!”

And without further delay the little rabbit took his new buddy to the School for Moles. Tiny was warmly welcomed at there. He saw many other baby-moles joyfully playing with each other during recess. And then Sir Wise mole introduced him to the class, seated him at his desk and briefed him about the school rules. From that day onwards, Tiny, the mole, never missed his classes.

Days passed, followed by weeks and months and one day, stepping out of his burrow, Bunny noticed a neat hill near the entrance door.

“Hello, dear Bunny!” the happy face of Tiny peeped from the hole. “I came to thank you! I love my school so much! I’ve learnt so many interesting things there and am still learning! And I made a lot of great new friends, too!” The mole babbled non-stop.

“And look here, Bunny, I dug the tunnel exactly where I wanted, without causing any damage!”

“That’s wonderful, buddy!” the rabbit beamed. “I’m so glad for you! Of course, it is good to learn on one’s own, but when you have skilful mentors who can teach you a lot of interesting and helpful things — it’s perfect! And mind you, it’s much more fun to learn new things along with your friends, rather than alone!”

“You are so nice, Bunny! I wish you all the best!” Mole said gratefully.

“Goodbye, Tiny! And good luck to you too!”