The Stranger

Bolting out of heads of lettuce sprang a fuzzy little hare, All befrazzled with her shopping at the small-town country fair.

As she ran along the road with her basket on her arm, There stood a Stranger with his friends, chatting near her neighbor’s barn.

She was taught to say “hello” and a proper “how d’you do?” To the man who was a Stranger and his friends whom no one knew.

But just because she hadn’t met them, friendly faces made her glad. As the hare looked at the Stranger, he seemed tired and also sad.

As he beckoned her to stop, asking why she had to hurry, She then said that she’d be late. So, she had to run and scurry.

”But the road will always be there,” said the Stranger to the hare, Asking what she had to do that required so much care.

“I haven’t yet gone shopping,” said the hare with anxious tears. “What will I bring to all my friends who will be coming here?”

“I’ll help you,” said the Stranger as he held her basket high.

“You’ll have plenty of things to give them and nothing else for you to buy. Here’s a hamper filled with Comfort, so they’ll never want for Food, and a Cup that’s full of Blessings to remind them that they’re Good.

“There’s Devotion filled with Joy, made with lots of endless Laughter. That is all I have to give you…Wait…and the Peace of Life hereafter.”

So, the hare jumped in his arms, wanting gifts that came with Love From the man who was a Stranger and his angels from above.

© Mari Ribeiro 2025. All rights reserved.