A touching story about friendship by Sadie Fisher, 12, of High Wycombe

ONCE upon a time there was a funny bunny. He was called Charlie.

He lived on his own in a hutch but he had lots of friends. The birds and mice loved to come and listen to his jokes and songs when he was out in his run, as did the family dog, Rufus.

One day, Charlie wasn't feeling very well. He had eaten too many carrots when he was sick it came out all red coloured. Charlie didn't realise the red was from the carrots. He thought he his stomach was bleeding on the inside.

So Charlie stopped telling jokes and singing and spent all his days worrying that he was going to die. Soon the birds and the mice stopped coming to visit.

Rufus the dog still came and tried to cheer him up but it was hard because Charlie was very sad.

Rufus told Charlie that if he was going to die, he might as well enjoy what time he had left and slowly Charlie started to cheer up again with the help of his friend.

After a few weeks Rufus got Charlie joking and singing again.

The birds and mice heard him and came back to join in the fun but when Charlie saw them he told them to go away.

"Where were you when I was sad and scared?" he said. "Only Rufus wanted to be with me then so only Rufus will hear my jokes and songs now," he shouted.

Then he turned around and kicked dirt in their faces until they all went away.

"It's when your need for friends is REAL that you find your REAL friends," said Charlie to Rufus, with a smile.