Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen

Howard B. Wigglebottom was a small rabbit with big, twitchy whiskers and a curiosity that never seemed to sit still. He loved to bounce, hop, and hurry from one thing to the next. Come on! Let’s go now! Howard would say, wiggling his nose. Ms Willow, his teacher, had soft, kind eyes and a calm voice. She often said, "Howard, please slow down and listen." But Howard loved to rush. He thought listening would take too long.

One sunny morning, Ms Willow lined the class by the little stream. "We will cross carefully," she said. "Hold hands and listen for my instructions." Howard, who had spotted a bright feather floating on the water, darted forward. "Wait for me!" he called, but he never stopped to hear the rules. He slipped on a wet stone and landed with a little splish. Pip the bird fluttered down and chirped, "Oh-ho! That’s why Ms Willow tells us to listen." Pip’s soft voice sounded worried. Howard's paw was only a bit wet, but he felt embarrassed. Ms Willow helped him up and smiled. "Listening helps keep you safe, Howard. Try slowing your wiggle and using your ears."

Back in class, they painted with bright blue and sunshine yellow. "Mix gently," Ms Willow instructed. "A little at a time." Howard wanted the prettiest purple right away. He stirred and splashed too fast. Paint went everywhere—on the table, on Pip’s tiny wing, and on Howard’s nose! Pip shook his feathers and giggled, but Ms Willow knelt beside Howard. "See how listening first can prevent messy troubles? When you listen, you learn the best way to do things."

That afternoon, Howard sat under the maple tree feeling small and thoughtful. Pip hopped beside him. "Do you want to play the 'Listen Game'?" Pip asked. "I’ll say something, and you wait and then do it." Howard nodded. He practiced. When Pip said, "Stop and smell the daisies," Howard stopped. When Pip whispered, "Look at the cloud that looks like a bunny," Howard looked and counted the cloud shapes. Each time Howard waited and listened, he felt proud.

Days turned into weeks. Howard began to slow his wiggle. He raised his ears and asked questions like, "Can I try now?" or "What should I do next?" He followed Ms Willow’s calm steps at the stream. He mixed paints slowly. He even listened to Pip’s little warnings before leaping from a low branch.

One afternoon, the whole class cheered. Howard had led a game safely because he had listened to each friend. Pip trilled a happy song and nudged Howard gently. "You did great!" Howard smiled with his nose twitching slowly. He had learned that listening made him safer, kinder, and better at everything he tried. He still loved to explore, but now he used his ears as much as his feet. "Thank you for helping me learn to listen," Howard said to Ms Willow and Pip. Ms Willow hugged him and whispered, "Listening is a superpower, Howard. It helps you grow." Howard nodded. He knew now that slowing down and listening was the best way to go on any adventure.