The golden rabbit darted past the ice cream stand and disappeared into the green tunnel of trees. Zayan ran after it, his sandals slapping on the path.
He ran until the sunlight turned dappled and the air smelled like damp earth. Then a tiny voice called from a fern.
Zayan parted the fronds and saw a hedgehog tangled in a necklace. 'Almost there,' he whispered, working the metal loop free with careful fingers.
The hedgehog rolled free and snuffled his toe. Zayan smiled.
Up in an oak, a baby squirrel clung to a low branch, trembling. Zayan looked up and began to climb.
He lifted the squirrel onto his shoulder. It chittered softly and dropped a shiny button from its nest.
The golden rabbit sat on a mossy stump nearby, watching. Zayan followed it toward the sound of a creaking swing.
He saw the familiar creak of the swing and his mom's yellow dress waiting there. When he turned to thank the rabbit, only a gold gleam remained on the grass.