A rabbit hops into the clearing

Glances around furtively

Shrinks back a moment

And addresses the deer

"You'd better watch out!"

It cries out to them

"Give me a wide berth!

Protect yourself, I'm dangerous!"

The deer blink

A few stifle laughter

"I'm serious!" it yells

"I'm a fearsome monster!"

"What are you talking about?"

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One of the deer steps forward

"You don't seem dangerous to me

What makes you such a monster?"

"I massacre plants!

I don't want to do it,

But the hunger takes over!

I can't help it!"

The deer blinks

"What's wrong with that?"

It asks evenly

"They'd just mold if you didn't."

"That's not all!"

The rabbit cries,

Inching away

Toward the edge of the clearing

"I killed a bug! Yesterday!"

The deer lowers its voice

"How did you do that?"

"I stepped on it!"

A bemused murmur

Rustles along the deer

"Hasn't everyone?"

A few of them nod

The rabbit turns tail

Yells over its shoulder

"If you won't protect yourself, I will!"

And runs back into the brush