Mad as a Hatter
Frabjous Day
Annie opened her eyes to the sound of chirping birds and a cool breeze whispering in her ears.
She got up and looked around. A huge window was wide open and the soft pink curtains were fluttering gracefully. It was a beautiful day out and yet something did not seem right.
Annie stepped out of bed and looked around again. She was in her mother and father's room. Annie tried to recall what happened last night.
"Oh!" Annie sighed with relief. There was no sign of claw marks in the wallpapers. There were no signs of a struggle. And therefore: no Jaberwocky.
But that wasn't the only thing in Annie's mind.
She felt bigger and taller. Did someone sneak in a potion to make me bigger in my evening chocolate? Will I grow bigger that I'll reach the ceiling in time for my birthday today? That's when Annie remembered: "OH! It's my BIRTHDAY!" Annie raced down the stairs and burst through the dinning room.
She was more than disappointed to see it empty. Not a cook or maid in sight. She left the room dejectedly.
Annie stole a muffin from the kitchen and wandered around the house again, every step echoing a thousand times in the seemingly empty home. She knew every nook and cranny in this house. The big house was seemed very insignificant compared to the world beyond. So she and Charlie set out to explore the outdoors.
"Charlie! Charlie!" She called. And whistled loudly. Her grandmother had disapproved of her whistling. 'Quite unlady-like.' She'd say. But Annie never bothered. Though you'd usually see Annie mimicking her 'Quite, quite indeed.'
And just as she hoped for, Charlie came running to her call. He was not the same small dirty dog Annie once found on her way to school. He grew big, and in a few months Annie could no longer carry him. This time, Charlie carries Annie. Charlie often sat beside Annie in the fire during those cold Christmas nights. And accompanied her on her adventures in the garden during the summer.
Summer had to be Annie's favorite time of year. The hot sun and the cold iced tea was always something to look forward to. She remembered many times when she would eat out in the garden with her family, and those times when she and Mary would go swimming in the lake. During summer her family was not as busy as when there was school and she got to play a lot more. And was, therefore, extremely lucky to have her birthday in her favorite season.
Annie face fell again at the thought of her birthday. Nobody remembered. Annie sighed sadly. She was left along, brooding over her luck when she felt something rough and sandpaper-like lick her hand. Charlie was as big as she was (and Annie was only 7) so she only had to look beside her and asked, "What's wrong Charlie?"
Charlie only stared at her with big and excited eyes that held a secret. Annie only wondered half-heartedly. "Do you want me to follow you?" she asked; in response, her dog barked cheerily. He tugged on her nightgown and was jumping up and down. "Oh alright."
Annie was led into the living room where the terrace was. She was surprised to see the heavy red curtains drawn. "Curious." Outside she could see rays of light peeking and daring Annie to come and find out what's behind it.
Curiosity has never held her back, she opened the big doors she was so nonplussed at what awaited her.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE!" Her parents and Philip smiled as they stood behind a huge cake that read: HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY ANNIE! 7 pink candles stood with their flame dancing merrily, welcoming Annie at last.
A few minutes later she blew her candles and her parents clapped. Many other people clapped as well. Great aunt Imelda came; Grandmother was there, shaking her head disapprovingly at her granddaughter's nightgown. Her jolly little uncle Henry came as well, he greeted her with a great big smile. Lord Ascot (Alice's Business partner) arrived with a great big gift.
She spotted her evil twin cousins giggling in the back, she passed by and caught something along the lines of 'What in the world is she wearing!' Annie scoffed; she would have to get back at them later.
Her best friend Mary came, she was clapping and holding a box wrapped in a pretty blue colored wrapper and topped with a pink bow.
Philip came up to Annie and gave her a big hug. "Happy Birthday Annie." He handed her a small pouch, which Annie opened eagerly. Inside was a beautiful silver chain bracelet with a butterfly attached. "Thank you Philip!" She hugged her 12-year old brother in the waist (which was as high as she could reach). Philip patted her head and hurriedly dashed away when he felt Charlie lick his hand. Annie laughed as Philip jump out of his skin, Charlie came bounding after him.
Annie made her way to Mary who greeted her with a hug. "Happy Birthday Ann!" She said and held out her present. Annie took it and hugged her back. "Thanks Mary! I'm so glad you made it!" Charlie made his way and walked over to Mary, barking happily. "Hullo Charlie! I didn't forget you either." Mary reached into her pocket and pulled out a Charlie-sized treat that the dog happily chewed. Annie and Mary laughed.
After many complaints from her grandmother, Annie finally came down wearing a blue dress and a black ribbon. "You look just like your mother! She wore this exact same dress when she was your age!" Everyone exclaimed. It took ages until Annie finally found Mary again.
The two friends walked around and sat under the shade of a tree. "Thanks for this rabbit Mary!" Annie was so happy with her new pet. "I'll name you Mary!" Annie sat there holding Mary the Rabbit up to her nose. Mary the human laughed and Annie let her play with Charlie.
Strangely, Mary wasn't scared of Charlie at all. If anything, Mary the rabbit was chasing Charlie like he was a very interesting carrot. And Charlie on the other hand tried very hard not to run away and not to step on her.
The two chatted for a while and soon sat in comfortable silence. Annie was braiding a headband of flowers while Mary read a very interesting story aloud. Mary went on, happily narrating her book.
Annie loved Mary's stories; she was such a good writer. Once when Annie was crying, Mary came to her house and read her a story Mary wrote on her own. Mary always knew how to make Annie smile and Annie was always so grateful to have a friend like Mary.
Soon enough, Annie was drifting off to sleep dreaming about a turtle and a rabbit having a race. She was having such a pleasant dream, it almost seemed like she was about to win the race against the rabbit and turtle when Mary shook her awake.
She looked at the headband of flowers she was holding and said, "Here you are Mary!" Annie held out the beautiful headband to Mary who happily accepted. And after a few more minutes Mary's mother called her and they both said their good-byes.
Annie felt like she did not want to be smothered by her guests and asking her awkward questions; so she, Charlie and Mary the rabbit walked into the hedge maze and found themselves lost in their own world, once again.
The blonde haired Annie was enjoying herself while humming a tune when she turned to see Charlie chasing a pretty blue butterfly. Annie blinked. It looked like the butterfly was dancing. "That's odd, butterflies can't dance." She said to herself. Charlie ran off into the maze, chasing after that curious butterfly. Mary was sniffing a beautiful red rose bush. Annie bent down with Mary and smelled the flower as well.
Annie found her memories wandering to a time when her mother and she were walking in the maze, hand in hand. Her mother had spotted the red roses and said, "Oh dear, I asked the gardener to plant in white roses." Alice gave a small pout and stared at the roses. Little Annie looked up to her mother and said, "Mummy, you can always paint the roses white." For a split second Annie thought that her mother would yell or laugh at her for something so strange and ridiculous (all her classmates and teacher would).
But Alice's face broke into a huge grin and she picked her daughter up and replied, "Yes, you're right Annie. That's very true." Annie, in her mother's arms, smiled and they came back with a bucket of white paint. Soon afterwards, Alice's mother stopped by for a visit and found her daughter and granddaughter slathered with paint.
The two got a good scolding that lasted until the treacle pies arrived after dinner. Annie was just busy eating her pie and sneaking in portions of her pie to Charlie who wagged his tail happily at the dessert. Alice, however (wanting to be a good model to her daughter), simply nodded at her mother.
Annie smiled at the memory.
Mary the rabbit stood up on her hind legs and motioned for Annie to come over. Annie rubbed her eyes and thought I must be dreaming! Mary just waved at me! Excited, Annie rushed to Mary. She was led to a very odd looking tree with a rabbit hole at the base. Mary the rabbit peered inside and sniffed the air. She wagged her soft cottontail and jumped inside. Annie caught her eyes following Mary into the pitch black.
It was a full minute until she realized that she needed to get Mary back. "Mary! Come back! We need to go return soon or mother will be worried!" Annie did something rather foolish. She put one foot in the hole and soon, the other. The hole was small for a grown man, but big enough for petite Annie to fit in.
Annie held on to a low branch, and as if the tree was pushing her inside, she slipped and found herself falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole.