Bella the Bunny Read Free Page B

Bella tilted her head, wiggled her nose, and then started singing.
    I should have asked for black spots!
    Can the white ones disappear?
    Lexi needs some black ones.
    Oh, I do hope you can hear!
    Misty Wood was silent again. Had the song worked? Bella opened one eye to take a peek. Lexi’s spots were still white! The toadstools had worked their magic the first time—why weren’t they listening now? Bella took a deep breath and bellowed at the top of her voice.
    Listen, toadstools, in your ring,
    Can’t you hear me when I sing?
    Lexi needs some BLACK SPOTS
    And—
    â€œThere’s no need to shout,” a deep voice interrupted.
    Bella’s fur stood on end, and Lexi squeaked with fright. They both kept their eyes shut tight. Maybe the magic was working?
    â€œI don’t do black spots,” the voice said. “I do only white.”
    That doesn’t sound very magical , Bella thought. She opened her eyes.

    A large red fox was sitting in front of them. He was holding a lily pad full of white paint.
    â€œAre you sure you do only white spots?” Lexi said.
    â€œQuite sure,” said the fox, nodding.
    â€œSorry,” said Bella. “But Lexi needs black spots.”
    â€œYes,” said Lexi. “I’m a ladybug, you see.”
    The fox stood up and shook himself. “Watch this,” he said. Then he trotted over to the edge of the ring with his lily pad. He dipped his tail in the paint and dabbed one of the red toadstools until it was covered with white spots.
    â€œSee?” he said. “That’s my job. Putting the white spots on the toadstools.”
    â€œGosh, that looks lovely,” Bella said. “Much better than plain red toadstools.”
    â€œThanks,” the fox said with a smile. “I’m really sorry I’m not able to help you. And don’t worry. The spots will wash off. I have to repaint these toadstools every time it rains.”
    He picked up his lily pad and moved on to the next toadstool.
    â€œGood-bye, Mr. Fox. Thank you for trying to help us,” Bella said. “Come on, Lexi.”
    â€œWhere are we going?” Lexi asked as she settled down in Bella’s soft fur.
    â€œMoonshine Pond,” Bella told her. “We’ll wash away these white spots, and then we’ll think of what to do next.”
    â€œOkay!” squeaked Lexi as the bunny opened her golden wings and fluttered into the air. “Let’s go!”

 
    CHAPTER SIX
    Moonshine Pond to Heather Hill
    â€œThe pond looks so bright and beautiful today,” Bella cried as she spotted the gleaming water through the trees. “The Moonbeam Moles have been busy.”
    Every night, the moles caught moonbeams and dropped them into Moonshine Pond to make it glow like the moon itself.
    Bella landed on the grassy bank. “Okay, Lexi, time to wash off those spots,” she called, raising her ear so Lexi could fly out.
    Lexi landed on the bank and looked down at the silvery water.
    â€œWhat if they don’t wash off?” she said nervously.
    â€œOh, I’m sure they will. Look.” Bella dipped a paw in the edge of the pond. The fox was right—the water washed the white blobs clean away.
    â€œYippee!” Lexi cried, and she did a quick loop-the-loop before diving headfirst into the water.
    Bella hopped in, too, and splashed and splashed until all the spots were gone.
    â€œThat’s better!” she cried, leaping onto the bank and shaking out her fur and wings.

    â€œYou look like a proper Bud Bunny again!” said Lexi, crawling out from the water. “Are my spots gone, too?”
    â€œThey are,” Bella replied. “Only the black one’s left.”
    â€œI’d better dry myself off,” Lexi said. She flew up into the air, whirring her little wings as she loop-the-looped.
    Bella sat down on the grass. She felt really sad that she hadn’t been able to help Lexi, but it was lovely to