The wind blew gently through the trees. The birds sang of happiness and peace. The stream sparkled like a million jewels. All around blues and pinks and lavenders mingled with rich hues of green.

This is where she allowed herself to dream and to hope. This was her kingdom. And in her kingdom she ruled with fairness and gentleness and love.

'Now bear, why are you angry with bunny?'� she asked.

'I caught bunny trying to steal my honey!'� growled bear. Bunny cowered under a hydrangea bush. His tears fell like a mournful procession.

'I'm so very sorry bear. I never meant to steal from you. I was just so hungry, so hungry!'� cried bunny. 'I haven't eaten in days. When I came upon the honey jar and no one was there, well, I didn't think it would hurt anyone!'�

She watched him with sadness in her eyes.

'I'm so sorry, so very sorry bear! Please forgive me bear. I never meant to hurt you.'�

With each new tear she could see bunny's heart breaking into yet another tiny piece. And in each piece she could see the undeniable truth of his words. And her own tears flowed for the heartbroken bunny.

Bear looked around uncomfortably. He knew he had overreacted. After all, he counted bunny as one of his friends and bunny had never stolen from him before. He just didn't know how to make this situation better. He was ashamed of himself for not seeing the absolute truth just staring at him. Hadn't he been asking himself, just the other day, why bunny had looked sickly and withdrawn? If he had been pure of heart then surely he would have offered his friend his help.

He was brought back to the present by her melancholy voice.

'This situation saddens me a great deal. Bear can you find it in your heart to forgive bunny. And bunny, if you are ever in distress again please remember that you can always turn to your friends for help.'�

Through the mist that was his tears bear scooped bunny into his arms, 'Please forgive me bunny. I have been such a dreadful friend.'�

The sky was getting darker. All was well again in her own kingdom. It was now time for her to face the battle she knew she could never win.

She moved forward slowly, her back straight, her chin held high. She knew that any sign of weakness would be used as further proof of her worthlessness.

'Where have you been you stupid, ungrateful child. I needed you to cook supper and look after the baby!'� yelled her mother.

She knew what came next but she showed no fear. With a sickening 'whoosh' the belt landed its first blow. It seemed to her lately, that no matter what she did, she always ended up at the receiving end of her parents' fury.

She retreated in a world where cruelty held no place and no meaning. She felt the warm embrace of her friends shielding her.

'And didn't I throw those disgusting toys in the trash!'� she screeched. 'Now go get your father a beer and no supper again for you tonight!'�

She blocked out all emotions and feelings and proceeded to do as she was told. As she reached the living room, she noticed her father passed out on the couch. Even as she placed the open bottle of beer on the table next to him, she knew she would have to pay the price for having opened a bottle that he would not drink.

She went upstairs and got ready for bed. She tried to drink as much water as possible to appease the gnawing pain of her hunger.

Her last thought before she sank into a troubled sleep was that she must remember to get her bear and her bunny out of the trash first thing in the morning.

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