2. Misha Story and Ilustration by Mengdi Zhu and Marissa

3. Hi I’m Marissa. I’m a college student, so I’m pretty busy! I definitely wasn’t looking for a pet. But when I saw an advertisement for a little bunny in the newspaper, I couldn’t resist!

4. A couple of days later, I went to pick up the little bunny. Her family was moving away so they had to find a new home for her. “I can give her a new home! She can come live with me!” I exclaimed happily. I looked into the cage and saw the cutest, fluffiest, little bunny ever. I had already picked out the perfect name for her: Misha.

5. I lugged Misha’s cage all the way home. It was tiring, I but I was too excited to care. I couldn’t wait to play with her!

6. “Hi, Misha. I’m Marissa. Come out and play,” I said. But Misha didn’t move. She huddled up in a corner of her cage and looked at me strangely. “You’re weird,” Misha thought, “this place is big and scary, I don’t want go outside,” Then she turned her back to me and went to sleep.

7. The next day I made a bunny castle out of cardboard for Misha. “Maybe if I give Misha a bigger play area, she will like me.” I thought. I made her the biggest, prettiest bunny castle I could.

8. “Misha, come over here! Look what I made you. Do you like it?” I asked her. Misha sniffed. I waited. “This cardboard is hard and stiff. I’d rather chew it than play in it,” Misha thought. Then she hopped back to her corner and fell asleep.

9. The next day I went out to buy some tasty treats for Misha. “Maybe if I feed Misha yummy things, she’ll like me!” I thought. I went home with a box full of treats and a heart full of hope.

10. When I got home, I was in for a shock! My closet was a mess and Misha was lying on a pile of my clothes. “That cardboard box is too hard. This place is much nicer. These clothes are so soft!” Misha thought. “Oh dear, what a mess!” I sighed and put her back in her castle.

11. “Look at this, Misha! I have a treat for you. Do you like it?” I asked her excitedly. Misha sniffed. I waited. “What are you feeding me? Yuck! I’d much rather eat my carrot,” Misha thought. Then she hopped back to her corner.

12. The next day I went to the pet store to buy some bunny toys. “Maybe if I give Misha some fun things to play with, she will like me!” I thought. I bought a cute stuffed bunny.

13. When I got home, I was in for a shock! My precious pink rose was ruined! Misha was happily munching on a pink rose bud. “That treat is too sweet. These roses are much tastier!” Misha thought. “Oh no, not again!” I sighed and cleaned up the mess.

14. “Look over here, Misha! I have some toys for you. Do you like this little bunny?” I asked excitedly. Misha sniffed. I waited. “This toy is so boring. I can’t chew or scratch it,” Misha sighed. Then she hopped back to her corner and fell asleep.

15. The next day when I came home from school, I was in for a shock! My books were scattered on the floor and Misha was happily chewing on one of them. “That toy was lame. I can’t play with it. These books are much more fun. I love chewing on the pages,” Misha thought.

16. “Oh goodness! Why are you so naughty, Misha? I don’t understand you,” I shouted. I was very angry. I did not want to try to be friends with Misha anymore.

17. Later on in the night, I felt a soft nudge on my foot. Misha was nudging me and dropped a piece of carrot. “I’m sorry I made you angry,” Misha thought, “I just don’t like the things gave me but I guess you like them. Here’s something I like. Hope you’re not mad at me anymore.”

18. I smiled at Misha and started petting her. She seemed to enjoy it very much. “Ahh, now this is what I want. I don’t need all of that other stuff. Just spend time with me and pet me!” thought Misha.

19. From that day on, Misha and I got along much better. I realized that I didn’t need to buy her fancy things, just simple things that bunnies would like. And of course, I pet her every day. We’re really good friends now.

20. Sometimes making a new friend takes a little patience and a lot of love. Maybe they’re scared, maybe they’re shy, or maybe they’re worried you won’t like them… It’s okay! Friendship takes time to grow. With enough care and understanding, it will bloom like a beautiful flower. The End