Hazel, the gray-furred rabbit with a dab of white on his nose, stirs the pot with a carved wooden spoon. Beside him, Clover, plump and ever-curious, peers at the pot with wide eyes, while Thistle, the smallest and quickest, bounces impatiently. The night is cool, the stars sharp overhead, and the forest is alive with the muted chorus of crickets.
"It smells incredible tonight, Hazel. What did you do differently?"
Hazel flashes a mysterious grin, ladling generous helpings into wooden bowls. The rich, savory aroma draws approving murmurs from the group, each rabbit eagerly clutching their share.
"This is delicious! Much better than last week's stew," Thistle exclaims, mouth already full.
"Honestly, Hazel, it's as if you found a secret ingredient. The flavor is so rich and wild," Clover adds, licking her whiskers.
A moment passes, the only sound the quiet clinking of spoons against wood. The rabbits exchange glances, curiosity growing.
Hazel's ears droop just a little as he avoids his friends' eyes. He stirs his stew thoughtfully, paws fidgeting.
"Well… I had some help with the recipe tonight," he begins, voice barely above a whisper.
"Help? From who? We all know rabbits don't take cooking advice from hedgehogs," Clover teases, nudging him with her elbow.
"Not exactly. The help was… from the meat itself," Hazel admits, cheeks flushing beneath his fur.
"Wait, you mean—" Thistle starts, but Hazel nods solemnly.
"The wolf, before… well, you know, he gave me a few tips. Turns out, wolves know a thing or two about stew," Hazel confesses, glancing at the pot.
A moment of disbelief hangs in the air, then Clover bursts into laughter, her eyes sparkling.
"Well, I suppose that's one way to make a dish unforgettable," Clover jokes, nudging Hazel again.
"Next time, maybe you can ask the carrots for advice, too!" Thistle giggles, earning a round of chuckles.
Contentment settles over the clearing as the last spoonfuls disappear. The friends gaze up at the stars, warm and full.
Hazel feels a gentle pride in his chest, grateful for friends willing to share in his odd culinary adventure. The stew’s unusual flavor lingers, a reminder of courage, wit, and the unexpected wisdom a wolf can bring—even in defeat. Together, they drift into quiet dreams, the memory of this extraordinary meal woven into the fabric of their friendship.
