Uncle Wiggily, a kindly elderly rabbit, embarks on a series of whimsical adventures, often accompanied by his friends and acquaintances. In this particular tale, Baby Bunty, a lively little rabbit girl, is eager to play with Uncle Wiggily, who has gone to the store to fetch molasses for Nurse Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy, the muskrat housekeeper. Bunty, restless and playful, decides to meet Uncle Wiggily on his way back. During her journey, Bunty encounters a honey bee struggling in a spring of water. She rescues the bee, who promises to repay her kindness with honey. Continuing through the woods, Bunty meets Uncle Wiggily, and they head home together. However, their path is interrupted by a menacing fox. In their haste to escape, they drop the molasses jug. Uncle Wiggily, disheartened by the loss, sits on a peculiar log. The bee Bunty saved earlier emerges from the log, offering honey from its hive as a substitute for the lost molasses. Grateful, Uncle Wiggily and Bunty collect the honey, which Nurse Jane uses to make delicious honey cakes. The story highlights themes of kindness, resourcefulness, and the unexpected rewards of helping others.
By Howard R. Garis · First published 1901 · Genre: Children's Literature, Animal Fantasy, Fable