Once upon a time there lived a bunny named Barney. One morning he woke up and saw a ray of sunshine dancing on the windowsill. Barney was thrilled, because he had a very important job to do.
Barney wanted to finish the little clay cottage he had started moulding the night before, but he had not quite finished it and fell asleep.
In the morning he had plenty of energy. He had brekkie and happily hopped off to the building site.
At first everything went well: Barney made the windows and the door, and then he started on the roof. The roof just would not work: it kept caving in, or tilting off to one side.
Barney fiddled with the roof for ages, but nothing came of it. So he got cross and kicked his cottage.
Yes, our bunny had one flaw: he did not like it when things did not go his way. Then he would get worked up, stomping his paws, smashing everything, crying, and running off as far away as possible from the unfinished job.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a gnome appeared. He looked just like the gnomes Mum had read about to Barney in his storybooks.
Hello, Barney! I'm a gnome. I can see you're upset, and that's stopping you from finishing your lovely cottage.
Yes, I feel really awful, and I just don't have the energy for it! replied the little bunny.
I know how to help you, but you'll need to find something first, said the gnome.
I'm in! said the bunny, delighted.
There's a wicked wizard who collects strength, leaving everyone else with helplessness, anger and aggression. As soon as someone starts getting cross, the wizard takes their strength and hides it far, far away in a chest. I'm giving you a magic compass that will lead you to this little treasure chest and keep you on track, explained the gnome.
Thanks heaps! I'll do my best to find that chest! shouted Barney, and off he went straight away.
The journey was very tough and led through thick bushland, where wild creatures lived who frightened Barney. But he kept going, knowing the treasure chest with his strength was waiting for him.
Within a day Barney found the chest holding his strength. When he opened it, his little face lit up with a glow, and his strength came flooding back.
The trip home felt short, since he had his strength with him to help him get through every challenge.
As soon as Barney got home, he raced back to finish the cottage. This time the work went smoothly. The cottage turned out lovely!
Now Barney knew that he could hold on to his strength by always staying calm and focused.
