The Wonderful World of Rudolpha: Bianca’s bad day

Bianca is usually a happy-go-lucky rabbit who likes to make her friends at the North Pole Animal Day Care laugh. Even the teacher, Rudolpha the reindeer, finds her antics amusing. But this afternoon, Bianca is quieter than usual.

She must just be tired after bouncing around and climbing all over the place all morning, thinks Rudolpha.

The next morning, Bianca arrives late. She looks different than usual. She’s wearing a necklace made of bells, elf shoes and a sequined tutu. And that’s not all! She’s colored her beautiful white fur with green and red markers. After looking at her for a couple of seconds, the animal children return to making their crafts.

Rudolpha quietly asks Bianca why she’s wearing her Christmas costume, since the Christmas show is still days away.

“Because I LOVE CHRISTMAS!” shouts the rabbit so everyone can hear her. “It’s my favorite holiday. I wish it was Christmas every day!”

“It’s my favorite holiday, too,” agrees Rudolpha.

All day, Bianca sings Christmas carols, draws Christmas trees and looks at Christmas books. She seems to be fixated on the coming holiday. Concerned, Rudolpha invites Bianca to sit next to her for a chat.

“Bianca, you’re acting differently today. Is there something you’d like to tell me?” asks the teacher.

“I love Christmas. I really love it,” says the little rabbit.

And then, to Rudolpha’s surprise, Bianca starts to cry.
Hugging her close, the teacher whispers in her student’s ear, “tell me what’s wrong and we’ll find a solution together, okay?”

“Yesterday, the other kids were making fun of me. They said that rabbits have nothing to do with Christmas. They even called me an Ea-easter Bunny!” Bianca wails.

Rudolpha nods. “And to show that you belong here in the North Pole, you decided to wear your costume and color your fur?”

“Yes,” says the rabbit, wiping her eyes and sniffling.

Rudolpha explains to Bianca and the other children that everyone has a place in the North Pole, no matter what type of animal they are. She also reminds them that even if they don’t intend to be mean, teasing can sometimes hurt other people’s feelings.

Sorry they had upset their friend, the children apologize to the rabbit.

The next morning, Bianca arrives at the day care with clean, white fur, a smile on her face and no Christmas costume.

Written by Johannie Dufour and Sarah Beauregard
Translated by Cyan Caruso-Comas