When Rabbits Fly
(or How the Giant Chinchilla saved Christmas)
by Macaylla Silver
Our 2016 Updated Version
This year's poem is dedicated to a very special buck, Teddy. Teddy was given to me (Shannon Zwaan)by our President, Mr. Carl Filliater, the summer before he passed away. Some of you who know me (and Teddy) have heard the story of how Teddy went on a hunger strike upon leaving Carl's barn (the
summer of 2014.) Teddy refused to eat or drink on his own (he was about 7 mos. old at the time) and I kept him alive with hand feeding, syringing water, sub-Q fluids and assorted other techniques. I thought he was a goner but on the 19th day of being in Arkansas he came around and started eating and drinking on his own. Evidently he finally realized he wasn't going back to Ohio! Most of you who live in the South and have attended shows with me met Teddy. He did well on the show table and produced many fine offspring. Teddy passed away this summer after a short illness. He is sorely missed. The Giant Chinchilla rabbit is a very special breed. They endear themselves to us and touch our hearts.
OK, now for our 2016 "When Rabbits Fly" with thanks again to the author, Macaylla Silver.
"This is not good," said Santa, staring as the reindeer left in the snow.
It was 1921, and even Rudolph, on strike for song royalties, had left south to go.
The reindeer had become famous, and with a singing gig,
Not one was willing to stay to pull that old rig.
"Sorry Santa, said Rudolph, but our song made me famous!"
"The Reindeer want more money, how can you blame us?"
"You will have to find someone else to pull that harness and hack up
Because I need all the Reindeer to help and sing back up!"
"Getting presents to the children is what puts me in a mess."
Saint Nick fretted, "I wish someone would invent overnight UPS!"
No Polar Express trains were running as the Elves started loading
The sleigh's harness stood empty, Santa was filled with foreboding...
Then, out the window Santa saw an elf with a Giant Rabbit
Giving it a water dish and Reindeer hay (which was the elf''s habit.)
"That Rabbit is HUGE! So beefy! What do you call it, "Godzilla?"
No, said the elf, it is one of my rabbits called Giant Chinchillas!
Said the elf, "I got it last year from a guy in Kansas City."
"Bob Bennett said it was big boned, and I found it pretty!"
"It eats quite a lot, and with a supplement of reindeer hay,
It grows larger and larger, every single day."
"That Hay! That Hay! It makes Reindeer fly!"
Santa wondered...Why not, let's give it a try?
The rabbits were hitched to the sleigh (a dozen or more)
They binkied and bounded in the new fallen snow!
Would Christmas be saved? Santa got ready to steer.
The Rabbits hunched forward, and flapping an ear,
Began running and jumping, with ears out like a wing,
The craft started lifting and sleigh bells did ring!
"On Brighty on Levi on Victor and Jess. On Princess Cadmare on Danny on Sandy and Delight! Louanne, Little Wes, and Mika, fall in line! Sunshine, Delores and Buckeye, it's TIME! Jack (so extra beefy) towards the front! Prince Casey, Prince Casey, where are you!! Hanging out-c'mon! Prince Casey you look remarkably like my laggard last year, Carey! Are you related? Let's go!!
Santa smiled and laughed as the nameless leader did not roam
But pushed the Sleigh hard, as if she was going home...
Through the night, the Giant Chins flew like eagles
Those splendid rabbits, the size of small beagles.
Santa shouted out, Ho, Ho, Ho! because he knew
Things would be better, before night was through...
They pushed on through the night to every village and town
On the roof tops the sled would be softly let down,
And the crew returned to the North, or so is my guess,
All safe in their hutches, but their number, one less?
In a small house in Missouri, that famous Christmas morn
A gentleman was resting, feeling tired and forlorn
He had worked hard, breeding rabbits and hares
He thought of last year, as he came down the stairs,
when his prize, was given to a little man, four foot three.
It was a year ago. Ed missed her so. Her cage stayed free.
But that morning, a most marvelous surprise of all
Was the miraculous discovery by Mr. Stahl!
Ed rounded the corner and stopped in his tracks
Though fed on magic Hay, he still recognized her, shouting "You're Back!"
Alas, all his work was not for naught (a million dollars, we've learned.)
Because that special magic morning
His Million Dollar Princes had returned.
And a Merry Christmas to all Giant Chin Lovers everywhere!
This year's poem is dedicated to a very special buck, Teddy. Teddy was given to me (Shannon Zwaan)by our President, Mr. Carl Filliater, the summer before he passed away. Some of you who know me (and Teddy) have heard the story of how Teddy went on a hunger strike upon leaving Carl's barn (the
summer of 2014.) Teddy refused to eat or drink on his own (he was about 7 mos. old at the time) and I kept him alive with hand feeding, syringing water, sub-Q fluids and assorted other techniques. I thought he was a goner but on the 19th day of being in Arkansas he came around and started eating and drinking on his own. Evidently he finally realized he wasn't going back to Ohio! Most of you who live in the South and have attended shows with me met Teddy. He did well on the show table and produced many fine offspring. Teddy passed away this summer after a short illness. He is sorely missed. The Giant Chinchilla rabbit is a very special breed. They endear themselves to us and touch our hearts.
OK, now for our 2016 "When Rabbits Fly" with thanks again to the author, Macaylla Silver.
"This is not good," said Santa, staring as the reindeer left in the snow.
It was 1921, and even Rudolph, on strike for song royalties, had left south to go.
The reindeer had become famous, and with a singing gig,
Not one was willing to stay to pull that old rig.
"Sorry Santa, said Rudolph, but our song made me famous!"
"The Reindeer want more money, how can you blame us?"
"You will have to find someone else to pull that harness and hack up
Because I need all the Reindeer to help and sing back up!"
"Getting presents to the children is what puts me in a mess."
Saint Nick fretted, "I wish someone would invent overnight UPS!"
No Polar Express trains were running as the Elves started loading
The sleigh's harness stood empty, Santa was filled with foreboding...
Then, out the window Santa saw an elf with a Giant Rabbit
Giving it a water dish and Reindeer hay (which was the elf''s habit.)
"That Rabbit is HUGE! So beefy! What do you call it, "Godzilla?"
No, said the elf, it is one of my rabbits called Giant Chinchillas!
Said the elf, "I got it last year from a guy in Kansas City."
"Bob Bennett said it was big boned, and I found it pretty!"
"It eats quite a lot, and with a supplement of reindeer hay,
It grows larger and larger, every single day."
"That Hay! That Hay! It makes Reindeer fly!"
Santa wondered...Why not, let's give it a try?
The rabbits were hitched to the sleigh (a dozen or more)
They binkied and bounded in the new fallen snow!
Would Christmas be saved? Santa got ready to steer.
The Rabbits hunched forward, and flapping an ear,
Began running and jumping, with ears out like a wing,
The craft started lifting and sleigh bells did ring!
"On Brighty on Levi on Victor and Jess. On Princess Cadmare on Danny on Sandy and Delight! Louanne, Little Wes, and Mika, fall in line! Sunshine, Delores and Buckeye, it's TIME! Jack (so extra beefy) towards the front! Prince Casey, Prince Casey, where are you!! Hanging out-c'mon! Prince Casey you look remarkably like my laggard last year, Carey! Are you related? Let's go!!
Santa smiled and laughed as the nameless leader did not roam
But pushed the Sleigh hard, as if she was going home...
Through the night, the Giant Chins flew like eagles
Those splendid rabbits, the size of small beagles.
Santa shouted out, Ho, Ho, Ho! because he knew
Things would be better, before night was through...
They pushed on through the night to every village and town
On the roof tops the sled would be softly let down,
And the crew returned to the North, or so is my guess,
All safe in their hutches, but their number, one less?
In a small house in Missouri, that famous Christmas morn
A gentleman was resting, feeling tired and forlorn
He had worked hard, breeding rabbits and hares
He thought of last year, as he came down the stairs,
when his prize, was given to a little man, four foot three.
It was a year ago. Ed missed her so. Her cage stayed free.
But that morning, a most marvelous surprise of all
Was the miraculous discovery by Mr. Stahl!
Ed rounded the corner and stopped in his tracks
Though fed on magic Hay, he still recognized her, shouting "You're Back!"
Alas, all his work was not for naught (a million dollars, we've learned.)
Because that special magic morning
His Million Dollar Princes had returned.
And a Merry Christmas to all Giant Chin Lovers everywhere!
