The Art of Deception.

A Shocking Story

by Norma Holt

When my friend, Hilary, opened her backdoor, first thing in the morning, she was startled to find the dogholding the neighbour's dead rabbit in its mouth. She and Jane hadbeen friends for years and always got along but this was somethingthat might end their relationship.

Both had rabbits which they loveddearly. These pets roamed their gardens and were known by all.

Quickly Hilary sprang into action. Shecalled to her daughter to help as she took the disshevelled, filthyand barely recognisable beast from the dog. Plunging it into a basinof beautiful warm soapy water they tenderly scrubbed away until allthe dirt was gone but it looked like a drowned rat. There were noexecution marks on its body so they assumed it had died of fright.

Rubbing it with a towel and blow dryingit carefully they restored the fur to something of its previousbeauty. Satisfied with their work they then tip toed into theneighbour's yard and replaced the animal into the hutch from whichthey were sure it had recently escaped. This was all done beforeanyone in the house was awake.

Returning home they got on with theirday.

First things first. Hilary is adiabetic and food is essential but sometimes it is apparent that thewits are a little slow and they may be worse in the mornings beforetaking food. At least that's how she comes across. But a more gentleloving woman you won't find but, perhaps, she is too kind at times.

Desperate for her breakfast Hilarycould now eat at last but the anxiety remained. She knew how theneighbour would feel at her loss and that made her feel bad.

Tidying the kitchen after the meal shewas suddenly startled by screams coming from the next door's yard.Both her and daughter rushed to see what had happened.

They found Jane in tears, waving herarms about like a lunatic, and dancing around on the lawn as thoughbitten by a snake. This somewhat plump woman was a sight to behold.

“What on earth's the matter.” Maryasked startled. The neighbour was normally a sober respectable woman.This could not be said of her now as one would be forgiven forthinking she had downed a bottle or two.

“Its my rabbit,” she sobbed. “Itdied yesterday and I buried it but its back now in the hutch allclean and looking remarkable.” Hilary thought she looked as thoughshe would soon faint.

The two culprits cringed a little atthe unintended shock they had given this poor woman. Would they dosuch a thing again? Well, the big question is why did they do it inthe first place. What was the cover up all about?

Hilary had a love for the Jane asneighbours often do for each other. She could not bear to see her sohurt. The trouble was she could see now that she had made the wholesituation intolerable, for both of them.

There is a lesson to be learned here.Its better to face the music, no matter how bad it might be, than todeceive. Sure, dogs do kill rabbits and they do dig up bodies ofsmall animals if they can get to them. But should the means of therabbit's death be covered up and what was the advantage gained?

Poor Hilary! She confessed all to theneighbour and offered her sympathy and support for most of themorning. Fortunately she was on hand to make amends and explain theinnocence of her deception. Many deceivers, however, do not see theresult of their work nor have an opportunity to make amends. Theytake all and give nothing.

The worst deceivers are certain people who choose, for some unknown reason, to lie and hype things up tomake them more appealing. A lie is a lie and brands the perpetratoras someone not to be trusted, irrespective of how kind hearted theyare.