Clover looked at her new kits with pride. She had one boy and three girls. It was unfortunate that she would have to raise them all by herself. If only Thump hadn't been killed by Man. Oh, how Clover hated Man. Clover studied the boy the most. He looked just like his father. One of his feet was moving at the same speed and motion that Thump was always doing.
"Thumper," Clover murmured to herself, "Thumper. Yes…yes…to honor his father."
Clover's first memory was when the Great Prince of the Forest's brother died. His name was Oakwood, and he was considered a feeble, silly deer but all of the forest animals honored his memory to support the Great Prince of the Forest whom they admired above all the other animals.
Clover was just two months old when Oakwood died. All the creatures attended a mourning service for him. Clover was protected by her parents—only allowed to leave their specific home once a month. Therefore, Oakwood's mourning service was the first time that Clover had ever seen the Great Prince of the Forest.
"Who is that tall deer?" Clover inquired.
"That is the Great Prince of the Forest," her mother answered before the service began, "he has lived longer than any animal in the forest. We all respect him, for he rules over us. His brother is no longer with us and that is why we are here."
"Didn't you know that, Clover?" Clover's older brother, Greene, teased her, "I thought everybody knew that."
"Yeah!" another one of Clover's brothers, Cutton, giggled.
"Boys, stop teasing Clover," Clover's mother scolded the boys. Then the service started. But Clover didn't pay any attention to it. She was too occupied studying the handsome, strong Great Prince of the Forest. He had lived through so much…he looked so strong and mature. Clover wished she could cause the other animals to be as awestruck of her as she was of the Great Prince. After the service, Clover's mother told her kits that she was going to speak briefly with the Great Prince.
"Can I go with you, Mamma?" Clover asked.
"Of…of…course, Clover!" Clover's mother stuttered, astonished by the fact that one of her kits was interested in meeting the Great Prince of the Forest. Clover arranged for another doe to watch her other children. Then Clover and her mother walked over to the long line of animals that were waiting to speak to the Great Prince. Clover and her mother waited for what felt like an eternity, and then it was time for the two of them to speak.
"We're so sorry for your loss," Clover's mother sighed, "I wish we rabbits could have known Oakwood better. He seemed like a brave and caring buck." In reality, Clover's mother thought Oakwood seemed cowardly and selfish but she wouldn't dare say that out loud especially not to Oakwood's brother.
"Yes, yes," the Great Prince agreed in a hurried manner. In reality, the Great Prince only felt sorry for Oakwood and didn't think his brother was anything like how anyone described him at the service.
"I'm sorry that you don't have your brother to play with anymore," Clover stated innocently.
"I am too, little kit," the Great Prince chuckled, "even though we haven't been playing for a long time. What is your name?"
"Clover," was Clover's response.
"I hope to see you sometime soon, Clover," the Great Prince of the Forest smiled for the first time in public since he had learned of Oakwood's death. "You have an air of innocence and understanding that the majority of us would love to have." Clover beamed with pride.