Cotton in the Field Bunnies are pretty wise creatures. Granted that I being a bunny, am rather biased. Nonetheless, it’s true. Wisdom doesn’t just mean being smart—it means knowing what to do with your smarts and learning from your experiences. And bunnies are great examples of this.

A few months ago, my mom adopted a new sister for my brother, Clover, and me. My new “little sister” was a tiny white stray whom someone rescued and brought to the shelter. My mom named her Nika. I have to admit I was quite jealous at first. I nipped Nika and chased her each time my mom put us together. Soon, though, I got used to her and started liking the fact that there was another creature around to give me affection.

Nika, on the other hand, hasn’t yet completely adjusted to safe indoor living. Sometimes if my mom pets her without preparing her for her (my mom’s) touch, Nika will charge at her. Also, when a new person comes into our home, Nika will run away at first. It’s not fear that makes Nika do these things, though—it’s her wisdom. Bunnies (and any pets), especially those who have been abused, know what can hurt them. They know what to do about it, whether it’s to fight or run or hide.

Humans can learn a lot from their wise pets. My brother, sister, former siblings, and I have taught our mom a lot of things. Here are a few:

It’s okay to look silly. It shows you have a personality. If I can handle a red and green scrunchy around my neck for a Christmas photo, you can handle tripping on your own feet during a presentation.
Relaxation is essential. Meditate. Listen to music. Read something just for fun. Whatever helps you to de-stress. Clover and I love to stretch out under the futon in my mom’s office, but you might prefer the top of the furniture.
Friendliness is the way to make and keep good friends. As a personable bunny, I greet (and even kiss) everyone I meet. As a result, everyone loves me and wants to pet me! While kissing new acquaintances is definitely more appropriate for a bunny to do than a human, you get the idea.
Kicking up your heels sometimes is fun—and good for you. Nika’s favorite way is to run through the whole house as fast as she can My mom doesn’t quite have that stamina, but she does manage to go out dancing once in a while and has a lot of fun doing it.
We need to be curious about life. If we aren’t, we’ll be stuck in a rut forever. If Clover and Nika and I stayed in our pens all day long instead of venturing into the rest of the house, we would never have found out about the fun tunnel behind the bookcase. And, we would not have found the joy of surveying our world from the top of the couch.

You can be the smartest person in the world and not be wise. When you use what you learn to help yourself and others, like we bunnies do, then you will understand the value of wisdom.

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