A long time ago, there lived a silly troll named Bo. Bo had only a few close friends—Suzie the Fairy, who was sweet and mellow, and Harry the Gnome, who lived under a big old tree near the flower fields.

Bo himself lived far away, deep up in the mountain caves. He didn’t get to see his friends very often, because winter kept him snowed in for months at a time. That made spring and summer his favorite seasons—when he could climb down the mountain and spend time with Suzie and Harry in the bright, warm fields of flowers.

One early spring morning, Bo began his yearly trip down the rocky mountain path. Excited, he hurried straight to Harry’s tree. But when he arrived, Harry was already gone—off playing in the flower fields somewhere.

Bo kept walking, passing through the woods toward the fields… until something unusual caught his eye.

A big jackrabbit stood in the middle of the path, staring right at him.

The rabbit gave a cheerful wave and said, “Well hello! My name is Roger Rowdy Rabbit. I’m new to this part of the woods. Could you tell me what’s around here? And… would you like to be my friend?”

Bo froze on the spot. Trolls were never seen—not by forest animals, not by anyone. And they certainly weren’t spoken to by strangers.

How does this rabbit even notice me? He shouldn’t be able to see trolls at all…

Seeing his shock, the Rowdy Rabbit spoke again, “Hello! I didn’t mean to scare you. Want to play?”

Bo swallowed hard. The rabbit clearly saw him… and wasn’t running away. That alone made no sense.

He finally answered, “Um… hello. My name is Bo. You’re… not afraid of trolls? You still want to play with me?”

The rabbit bounced eagerly. “Of course! Where are you going? Can I come too?”

Bo panicked inside. In all his life, forest animals ran screaming at the sight of a troll. If Suzie or Harry saw him walking with a rabbit, how would he even explain it?

Trying to find a quick excuse, Bo said, “I’m just taking a walk. Nothing special. Maybe we can play another day—I really need to get home.”

He stepped around Roger and continued down the path, hoping the rabbit would hop off somewhere else.

But he didn’t.

Roger bounced right beside him.

“Hey, didn’t you come from the other direction earlier?” he asked.

Bo stuttered, scrambling for a lie. “Uh—I’m heading to the waterfalls… to wash some veggies for my mother.”

Roger brightened. “Let me help! I’ll go with you. And who washes the veggies for your veggies, Bo?”

Bo nearly tripped. How does this rabbit know so much about trolls?

Unsure what to say, he gave in. “Fine… okay, Rabbit. But let’s pick some veggies along the way.”

So they walked together, picking tomatoes and berries as they went. Roger hopped happily, completely unbothered by the fact that he was walking beside a troll. Bo, on the other hand, carefully scanned the woods, terrified his friends might see him.

He grabbed a berry here and there, thinking, I just need to get to my friends… or at least make sure nobody sees me with a rabbit.

When they finally reached the waterfalls, Bo had made up his mind. I’ll take the veggies and fruit and walk the long way home. If I go back the same way, the rabbit will follow me… and someone will see. Never again. Next time I’ll find a different path.

He turned to Roger, who was staring curiously at the water. Bo cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry, Rowdy Rabbit. I have to go home now. It was wonderful meeting you… I hope we see each other again soon.”

Roger shook his head. “Oh, Bo… you can’t walk that far alone!”

Bo’s stomach dropped.

If this rabbit follows me home, I’ll be seen for sure…
What will the other trolls say?
What will Mother think?
And what about Harry and Suzie waiting for me in the flower fields…?

Bo stood at the edge of the waterfall pool, staring at the path home.

There was no way out now. If the rabbit insisted on following him, everything he’d been taught about hiding, staying unseen, and staying safe would fall apart in a single day.

And so Bo thought, heart racing:

What do I do now? What will happen if Roger follows me home? What will my mother say? What will the other trolls think? And what about Harry and Suzie waiting in the flower fields…?