It's around the middle of October of this year... 2020. The year that I wanted to wake up from this nightmare. The news I hear of more cases I hear, the more I feel like I'm growing to the fear that this is the end. I feel this way because of our governors expected us to wear masks wherever we go, if we can't distance from people. Shops, restaurants, and other places shutdown from our governors that puts the burden on the American people. I wasn't the one suffering, except working in a retail company that now requires us to wear masks. Masks at times that we could barely breathe whenever the building is warm or hot from moving around as we work. Since I first started this job, I enjoyed it, while having ups and downs. However, this year... it was becoming downhill unlike the four years I've worked. It was now that I'm surviving, instead I should embrace of living without having to fear of the pandemic or being burdened by our governors. Especially my governor in this case.

Our California Governor, is more of defecating from the mouth, as rest of the Californian people suffer. Not even showing a simple mercy to the people who worked in their own business that they had close because of the pandemic shutdown. Not only that, causing people to be divided than ever, on whose right or wrong on politics. I even see that in my family a lot. I attempt to be moderate-conservative just from being brought up by disciplined family mixed with independent views, but every news I hear. I lose faith in my country by the day and could care less.

On that day, I called in from work from upset stomach from the upsets at work and also with the whole world. When the night came, I just wanted to enjoy a sleep for a pleasant dream, without having to dream about work, the world becoming more divided that we start a civil disobedience war. Not even having hearing of a new justice to be chosen for the Supreme Court and a election about three weeks away. More drama and court gossip from both sides that I could describe one of the branches of government that I could point the fingers more than anything, Congress. Even though I'm ready to sent my vote out, I'm sure I feel like I'll be the silent minority than the majority.

Every night, I try to watch my favorite shows that I could simply escape from this world. It'll be the one of the best mercies I could have, instead of fearing of ruthless customers bulk/panic buy in retail/grocery stories. As I lie down on my bed, in my home apartment, I try to find a star soaring across the what is left of a clean air, because the fires pretty much sucked the air dry, as I hope to see some rain to clean out this whole gosh forsaken state. And again, weather forecasters could make false predications in weathers. I continued to watch for a shooting star... until seconds later, one quickly soared by.

Mercy.

Can a shooting star give me the wish I wanted? More than anything? To wake up from this nightmare? It wouldn't do because no matter what happens, we still go through with it regardless. A thought came to me! Visit the one only place that I could visit that I could venture and meet with important friends that I could envy meet. The Rabbits of Watership Down. I closed my eyes and made my wish... "Star light, star bright, The first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight." After I made my wish, I fear that my wish may not come true. Even letting out a prayer, to have this dream come true. A tear fell through my closed eye.

Mercy.

Can I have this dream I long for? A dream that I could see what real friends are? A dream that would love to meet? As I got comfortable with my blankets and covered myself... and resting my head on my pillow. I continued to wish for this mercy dream, as I fell asleep.


I woke up. I was lying on the grass. The weather was beautiful: clear skies (with a few clouds), sun shining, the cool wind breeze, and the view seemed to be majestic, as if I was at the beach. Only a few distances away, there was a set of beech trees that stood alone in one hill. I recognized it to think it was Watership Down.

Mercy.

Can this be the dream that I wished for? Will I get to meet friends that I longed for? Or will this be a nightmare, in a nightmare? I ran across the down and done climbs until I reached to the final climb. I climbed up the hill, with beech trees. I climbed and climbed, until I reached the top. At the first sight I see, I see rabbits roaming around, probably silflaying. And the rabbits were the ones, exactly like the ones I've seen on Netflix. My excitement and optimism was high. I attempt to make a subtle approach without being crazed. I slowly walked, until I was almost close to them. All the rabbits outside stopped and stared at me. I didn't know what to say or how to greet them. I decided to do something basic. A smile and a wave. The rabbits quickly retreated back into the warren in different entrances. In a mere second, I found out I was alone.

Mercy.

I thought this was supposed to be a pleasant dream that I longed for? Is this a nightmare or a joke? Why do I feel more sadder than ever? My hopes plummeted and fell into despair. A tear started to fell from my eyes and more come down at a time. Like a Giant Squished Alice trying to get a key to unlock a small door. I knelt onto the grass and continued to cry. I feel more alone than ever. A dream that became a wishing waste... or was it?

Mercy.

Why do I see a shadow that nearly gave me a shade? Did someone come out? Or a monster to give me a fright in a nightmare? I slowly looked up, until becoming uncertain and frightened, I shielded my face out of fright.

There's no need to be frightened, son. A solemn voice that caught my attention. I slowly uncovered my face to see a rabbit. "What are you doing here?" I breathed heavily to see one of the rabbits was talking to me. "Why are you here?"

"I fear that this was a nightmare." I answered, as my voice was low from sobbing.

"Why are you crying?" he asked.

Mercy.

Why is this rabbit asking these questions? Am I being interrogated? Or is this rabbit going to break my heart even more?

"I just wanted someone I could make friends with. With someone I could feel happy and loved." I broke my silence.

Is that human lost? a rabbit, apparently a doe, came out of the warren. "Where are you from?"

"I'm from California, United States of America."

"California?" the buck questioned.

"United States of America?" the doe questioned.

"That's my home... I'm from another world. As I could realize I'm in another world too."

You are. A strong buck exited out of the warren with his mate. "You're in Watership Down."

"It must be a dream." I said to myself.

"Not sure if this is a dream, but seems real to me. Especially through a rabbit's eyes." a blue-silvered buck exited out of the warren.

"Bluebell!" a buck lightly scorned him.

"I was trying to come up with a light joke for the human, Blackberry." Bluebell answered.

"Bluebell? Blackberry?!" I noticed their names and faces.

"By Frith! The human knows our names!" Blackberry was amazed.

"Uhhhh... yes, Blackberry. Surprised." Bluebell playfully joked.

I chuckled. "I guess I'm in Watership Down! I'm glad!"

"A human surprised to see a warren of rabbits?" the toughest rabbit exited out of the warren. I recognized the tuft between his ears.

"You must be Plump Rabbit!" I exclaimed.

Bluebell laughed, as I meant to say Bigwig. "Listen here, human. My name is-"

"Bigwig! I know, at times it's funny to hear you called Plump Rabbit at times. For a good laugh." I chuckled. "For a good smile."

The first buck chuckled silently. "To be fair, Thlayli. It got him laughing away from his tears."

I looked at the first buck and started to puzzle together of his voice. "Excuse me, are you..." the rabbit looked back at me. "... are you Holly?"

"Surprised that you know my name too." he smiled. "Yes. The name is Holly, Captain Holly. And Hyzenthlay is my mate." he even greeted his mate to me. Perhaps it was altered from the Netflix canon... Holly survived.

Eagerly, I reached my hand out to him. He than became confused. "What is it you're doing?"

"Everyone greeted each other with a handshake-" and than something occurred to me, hardly anyone stranger or even someone outside of home shakes a hand. I slowly pulled my hand back. Before my hand is down, Holly raised his paw towards me.

Mercy.

Why did a rabbit agree to my offer of handshake? Would I get him sick? Or anyone else in the warren sick? My hand reached to his paw and we both have a shake on it. "It's how humans say hello."

"I see, human customs." he spoke.

"Indeed."

The second buck with his mate approached to me. "Welcome to Watership Down. I'm Hazel and this is my mate Clover."

"Hello." I greeted.

"It's a honor to meet with a new human. You do remind me of a young girl that I use to live with." Clover greeted.

"Lucy?"

"Why yes, indeed." she smiled. "You do seem to have interest of meeting rabbits."

"Back in my old hometown, I encountered a rabbit that I try to offer him/her a carrot, but fled. I was too eager to feed it."

"It's important to gain his/her trust, before making a approach towards you." Clover reminded me.

"I suppose you already know Blackberry and Bluebell, and of course Bigwig." Hazel introduced me to them. "Here are a few more rabbits: Fiver, my brother."

I looked at his younger brother, he was almost like a stuff animal I could snuggle at night. However, I maintain to be civil and calm. "It's a honor to meet you, Fiver."

He than brought out a pleasant smile. "The honor is mine. We knew that a human could stumble upon our warren."

"Fiver had a vision about it." Hazel explained to me.

"Anyone could stumble upon your warren, most important thing is that the human should be friendly towards you guys." I smiled at Fiver.


"The next rabbits: Hawkbit and Dandelion." Hazel introduced me to the duos of doe finders.

I giggled. "Oh yes... the duos looking for does. Have you two have any luck?"

"Well, yes! Yes I've, until someone stole her from me." Hawkbit answered, as he towards Dandelion.

"You didn't react enough. Besides you found yourself a doe already." Dandelion stood up.

The two could always fight over it, but it continue to laugh, as I remember seeing the show on Netflix and see their attempts to gain Strawberry failed. After meeting the duos, I met a few familiar rabbits: Strawberry (Bigwig's mate), Thethuthinnang (a doe that has a beautiful gift to sing), Blackavar (a former Captain of an Owsla).

"So, we all wondering to know. What brings you here?" Captain Holly asked me.

"Well... to escape for one thing. Just to see you guys." I answered.

"Curious, but not too surprising." Bigwig didn't seem to believe my answer.

"Escape from what?" Hazel asked.

Mercy.

Why is a Chief Rabbit asking me this question? What if I gave them an answer that leads to more questions.

"Well, only to escape the human world for a dream. A dream I could find some good friends." I answered.

"I'll most definitely be a friend to you!" Strawberry wagged her tail and cheered.

"Hear, hear! With some jokes I could tell you and a story to share to you!" Bluebell agreed.

"Don't you dare, Bluebell!" Blackberry warned him. "What did I say about making inappropriate jokes?"

"However, why do you wanting to escape the world you belong in?" Captain Holly asked. "You wouldn't have to worry about foxes, enemy rabbits, owls, and search for flayrah for a warren."

"The human world at times, can be cruel unlike most of the experiences you face. You nearly face them all the time."

"Well, we always survive." he added.

"Of course, however, it feels like it now where I come from. I just want to enjoy life, before all this happened."

"Before what happened?" he asked, as the rabbits listened.

"COVID-19."

"What's that?" Hazel asked.

"A virus that humans end up getting through basic spread like sneeze and coughs. The terrible thing is that we face lockdowns and shutdowns, as well restrictions that I couldn't be able to enjoy myself." I answered, until I felt completely stupid. "I know it sounds selfish, but I just wanted everything back the way it was before all this happened. In effort, to enjoy life."

"Don't doubt into despair." Clover told me. "Don't give up hope."

"Well, I feel like it's too late for that." I sat down on the grass. "I feel like I lost hope, faith, and even support for my country."

"Believe, what Clover just told you, son." Captain Holly told me. "There's always a light through the end of a dark tunnel."

"I don't know." I sat down on the grass. "I always hear the same thing, but it'll never change."

"Holly is right. Things in your warren will change." Hazel spoke. "Just as Frith keeps his promises to us rabbits. The terrible will melt away like the snow for a new spring."

"Even if the virus is gone, things will never change in politics in my warren."

"They still have to adapt and work together to solve differences." Hazel added. "Whenever a Chief Rabbit is gone, a new one comes in and learn to adapt."

"It's always important to treat everyone civil and kind to one another." Fiver spoke. "Your warren may have differences on different views on lots of things. Perhaps it's best is to try to tolerate with them."

I nodded. "I try however, it's not always easy."

"It always hasn't, but being a good human is always important, as if you're a soldier or a politician." Captain Holly added.

"Basically what Captain Holly is saying is this: be a good human and don't turn into hraka politician rabbits, who would talk endless." Bluebell joked.

"Bluebell!" Blackberry turned towards him.

"What? I was coming up with a joke... again."

'A good joke, if you ask me." I laughed.

"And if any of these humans bothering you, I'll be more than happy to give them a silflay hraka thrashing." Bigwig laughed and told me.

"Thanks, however, I'll have to go for a civil approach of being kind to one another." I told Bigwig.

Hazel, Fiver, and Captain Holly smiled and nodded their heads. "Of course." Bigwig finally agreed.

"How about this, perhaps you should spend the rest of the day with us and by the evening I'll tell you a story." Bluebell suggested.

"Could agree more." Blackberry agreed. "Bluebell is a wonderful storyteller. By the evening around The Honeycomb will be terrific!" Bluebell turned towards Blackberry and gave him a kiss. "Bluebell!"

"You gave me a compliment! You do like me!" Bluebell smiled.

"I just said you're a wonderful storyteller." Blackberry informed him, before receiving more kisses. I continued to laugh, as Bluebell winked at me.


Throughout the day, I was given a brief tour around the warren by Strawberry, done some patrols nearby with Captain Holly and Bigwig, and finally spending quality times with the rabbits during silflay. Even listened to Bluebell's jokes, even joked a few about humans that I laughed even harder. When the evening came, we all gathered at The Honeycomb and feasted on some vegetables that were raided from the farm not far from the warren. After our meal, Bluebell stood upon a boulder, where he cleared his throat and began his storytelling.

Does and bucks, kits up passed their burrow-times, and our human guest... I present to you, The Story of El-Ahrairah and His Blessings From Frith."

In the beginning... The great Firth made the world and he made the stars by scattering his droppings over the sky. Now, El-Ahrairah was the prince of the rabbits and he had so many wives and so many kits that even Frith couldn't count them. They ate all the grass and clover in the entire world. Now, Frith could have killed the prince rabbit there and then, but he needed him for his hijinks and tricks. So instead, he determined there would be a meeting of all the animals of the world, and upon each, he would bestow a gift.

Upon the homba (or called a fox), he gave great cunning. Upon the hawk, sharp talons. Upon the cat, silent feet. Upon the weasel, great speed. Upon the wolf... great teeth. All to hunt and slay the children of El-Ahrairah. These animals became the elil, the thousand enemies of rabbits. It was a few days later, when El-Ahrairah heard of all of this, and went to see Frith.

"You have condemned my people to lives of fear, Lord." El-Ahrairah spoke.

"Do you not wish to see what blessing I have for your people, Prince Rabbit?" Frith asked.

"To my bottom, give your blessings." El-Ahrairah turned away. Bluebell couldn't help, but he shook his tail that I chuckled from his light humor, as a few rabbits did.

"Very well." Frith complied. "Grow a tail to confuse those chasing you and legs to outrun them. Grow ears to hear any of your thousand enemies from miles away. All the world will be your enemy, prince of a thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first... they must catch you. Digger, listener, runner... Prince with the swift warning, be cunning and full of tricks... and your people will never be destroyed."


When it was over, everyone headed off to bed. They even said goodbye to me, as I'll probably be waking up anytime soon. I was able to give them a gentle hug, even Bigwig.

"Gee, Plump Rabbit. I didn't know you're up for cuddles." I joked.

"Keep that up, I'll tackle you down that you didn't even expect it." Bigwig warned me.

"I could get the message very plain." I admitted.

"Very well." he decided to give me a pass. All the sudden, I smiled at him. "What?" I than started to tickle him that he attempts to resist. "Stop! Stop it! What are you doing?!"

"Giving you a good tickle!" I smiled at him, as I continued. "Next is the belly." Bigwig immediately started to laugh harder, as his legs started kicking like a dog getting a good belly rub. "I'll make sure I get you for this!"

"Alright, human I think he has enough." Captain Holly laughed and knows when enough is enough.

I stopped, before I got tackled down by Bigwig himself. Some of the rabbits nearby became startled and surprised. "You really took too far from this! What do you have to say now?"

From looking at Bigwig's glare, I began to laugh. Captain Holly thought that I was mad.

"You're laughing at me?!" Bigwig questioned me.

"I'm laughing because you're funny. Your glare made me laugh." I giggled.

Bigwig than looked at Hazel and the few others. "I think he's gone tharn."

"I'm not. I like you that's why. You're always serious at times, because you're-"

"Yes, I'm a Captain of the Owsla. I take my role in the Owsla seriously." he added.

"Indeed. However, I do think you have a lighter side. Especially with your kittens."

Bigwig thought about his children and nodded his head. "Well, yes, that's true."

"I think you really give me a good smile for being playful with you just moments ago, like getting a good smile from Bluebell's story and jokes, Strawberry's tour and warm heart, and more importantly Hazel's, Fiver's, Clover's, and Captain Holly's words about keeping my spirits high during the terrible times. And the real big smile I got is from your guys' welcoming me to your warren." I said.

He than smiled and gave me a nuzzle. "Just strong and perhaps you'll be able to join our Owsla one day." I nodded back, as he rubbed my hair. I did followed the same suit, with his tuft hair. He than joined Strawberry to their burrow. Everyone else followed suit with their mates, after saying their goodbyes. The last one of the bunch was Captain Holly and Hyzenthlay.

She quickly gave me a warm goodbye, before she said goodnight to her mate. After she left for her burrow, Captain Holly and I were alone. Nearly in tears, I thought it was going to be a final goodbye because I felt like I was going to wake up. I was about to leave the warren, however he stopped me.

"You really think you'll leave in the night like this?" he smiled.

"Well... I don't know when I'll wake up because it's-" I stopped to remember it was a dream.

Mercy.

Why can't I have these wonderful dreams repetitively? Why do I sleep and dream of nothing, unless something terrible that I don't want to think of it?

"It's alright." Captain Holly gave me the warmest nuzzle. "Now, let's go finish the evening and watch the rest of the worlds."

"The rest of the worlds?" I questioned.

He chuckled. "Stars, come."

We exited out of the warren and we find a good spot, where we could watch the stars brighten tonight. We sat down beside each other, as we watched. Captain Holly seemed a bit saddened, when I looked at him.

"Captain Holly." He turned to me. "Are you okay?"

I nodded his head. "I'm alright, son. I just thought about my family who perished seasons ago."

"I'm sorry, Captain Holly." I offered my condolences.

He shook his head. "They're in peace now. In Frith's Meadow. And you could call me Holly."

"Holly." he nodded his head and smile. "I'm sure it wasn't easy. I mean losing your family, whom you loved."

"Our warren home warren was destroyed by 'man'. I was the lone survivor of this destruction. Ever since, after my escape and resettling in Watership Down, I've come to the pond where the waters are still."

"Is it peaceful?" I asked.

"Yes. Even at night sometimes."

"Can you show me there?" I asked.

He nodded. "Of course."

We than headed to the pond. When we got there, the stars were brighter than before. The water flows smoothly, as the gentle winds blew around us. We sat down once again, he than closed his eyes in a meditative state. He continued to slowly breathe in and out. I even noticed his breathing from his side going in and out. Oddly, you may say, I was drew to him that I got by beside him, and I slowly reached to his breathing spot. When I touched him, he opened his eyes and looked at me. I drew away and felt ashamed.

"I'm sorry."

He warmly smiled, as he was my father. "What you have to be sorry for, son."

I scooted close to his side and leaned my head to his breathing side... to hear his gentle heart beating smoothly thousand times. It was very much in rhythm.

"Thousand times." he said.

"Sorry?" I questioned.

"Thousand times that a rabbit's heart is in seconds. We're always aware of our surroundings: elil, enemy rabbits, and anything else in harms way." he told me. "Our children always come to us to hear our hearts beat."

"Perhaps because they sleep peacefully and/or happy to be comforted by their parents." I stated.

"That is a possibility." he said, as he lie down, before he looked back up at the stars and gasped. "Great Frith, one of his worlds is passing by!"

I was able to catch a moment of a shooting star soaring across the sky. It was definitely a "Starry, Starry Night".

"Starry, starry night, Paint your palette blue and grey, Look out on a summer's day, With eyes that know the darkness in my soul..." I recited.

"I'm sorry?" he questioned about the recite.

"Oh, it's a song that I always love listening to... Vincent by Don McLean. The song is about a human Dutch painter named Vincent Van Gogh. The song is beautiful. Especially to listen to at night." I than began to yawn.

"Seems like you're tired, son." Captain Holly gently rubbed my head. "Perhaps you get some rest."

I nodded my head. "I suppose... however, I may not to see you guys again."

He shook his head gently. "You will... you'll see us again. In another dream."

"How?"

"Just think about this warren and everyone here." he advised. "Think about everyone here and never forget about us... you'll always dream of us. And of course, always welcome to join us."

"Thank you, Holly." I thanked him before he bowed his head and smiled. "Was there a saying that if roles reversed you have done the same?"

"Yes..." he answered. "... thousand times." We shared a warm embrace. My heart was warmed from someone else's warm heart giving me love of kindness. "Alright, time to get some rest."

"May I?" I asked to lie next to him.

"Yes, yes of course. It's alright." he answered.

I got next to his side. His paw went over my shoulder and I held onto his paw close to my heart. "I won't forget you."

"I won't forget you too, son." he gently whispered his warm voice to my ear that I smiled warmly.

"May I offer you to hear the song, if I may play it?" I asked.

He nodded his head.

I felt something in my pocket and it was my phone. I noticed I was playing the song in my sleep. The song was on pause, that I resumed it. We than rested upon each other, as we listened to the song.

"Goodnight Holly."

"Goodnight, rooliti." he said back to me, as I felt his paw was pressed onto my shoulder. "So, you won't forget us." It was the last that he said, before the song was played, as I listened to his soothing breathing.

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night
You took your life, as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in the ragged clothes
The silver thorn, a bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will


I wasn't sure how I got home, but thankfully it was my weekend that I was able to catch the sunrise from my bedroom window. I looked around to know that I'm no longer at Watership Down, nor beside Captain Holly. I than noticed on my right shoulder was his paw print, as if it was tattooed. The voices of Watership Down came to me. The advices from The Rabbits of that warren. The voices wanted me to fall back asleep. No! Not yet. I wanted to get through today and hopefully to dream of them once again in my next night sleep and more onwards.

Mercy.

May I have this dream again? Please have this dream help me to remember what they taught me... to love one another.