The Briar Patch Story "I Can't Remember My Name" by Laurie Hanson I remember when I was smaller that someone cuddled me in their arms and spoke to me softly. I remember always being warm and safe. I remember always having enough to eat and that the food was good. I remember that once I lived in a house with humans. When I got a little bigger, the humans didn't cuddle me so much any more. They sometimes yelled at me if I made a mess. Then someone said I was too messy to be in the house and they put me in a hutch in back of the house. Pretty soon, nobody came to see me much at all any more. They just came out to put some pellets in a dish and some water in a bottle. No more cuddles, no more soft words. Sometimes I got very hot and then later I got pretty cold. One day I heard the humans talking, "He'll be better off free, with his own kind. He can fend for himself. Besides, it's not like there's no food or shelter there." They put me in a cardboard box and took me for a ride in the car. I remember being there before when I was really small and they brought me home from the pet shop. The humans took me out of the box and put me on the ground. It was pretty scary. I didn't recognize anything. It was all strange. Then the humans turned their backs, walked away, got into the car and drove off. I knew they would be back soon, so I sat and waited. I waited a very long time. The sun started to go behind the mountains and it got colder. The wind off the river was piercing. Pretty soon it was dark. The humans didn't come back. Some other rabbits came out and sniffed at me. One of them punched me, another bit me and another slashed my ear. That really hurt and I cried and ran away. I tried to find a place to hide, but everywhere I looked and scooted into, some other rabbit was already there and chased me out. It was really dark now and really cold and I was hungry and thirsty. I smelled some food and went over to get some, but the other rabbits chased me away. I cried again. My fur isn't sleek and glossy any more; it's dirty and raggedy. I don't know how long I've been here. They call it "The Briar Patch." Some humans come sometimes and leave food; it isn't very good. Once a human came and I thought I knew her. I started to go up to her, but then I remembered, humans don't want me around. I ran into the bushes. I never have enough to eat because I'm not very brave and can't fight for food, so I just have to eat what's left and that's usually pretty sorry stuff. I'm never warm and dry;the only place I have to curl up and hide in is muddy and dank. Sometimes I remember the better days, but more and more those days seem like a long ago dream. I still cry sometimes. I can't remember my name.