Why do rabbits have long ears?

(From: “Very Young Learners” OUP)

Once upon a time the King of the Animals decided to give all the animals names. He said: “You are a lion, You are a monkey, you are a crocodile, you are a frog, you are a tiger…..”

And finally he said to the rabbit: “You are a rabbit”

But rabbits have terrible memories and the rabbit couldn’t remember his name.

“Oh no, I can’t remember my name!”

So he went to the King and said: “I’m sorry, I can’t remember my name.” “You are a rabbit” Said the King. “Oh thank you!” Said the rabbit. The rabbit went away.

 “I’m a rab-ra-r…Oh no! I can’t remember my name!”

So the rabbit went to the King and said: “I’m sorry, I can’t remember my name.” “You are a rabbit” Said the King. “Oh thank you!” Said the rabbit and went away.

“I’m a rab-ra-r…Oh no! I can’t remember my name!”

So the rabbit went to the King and said: “I’m very sorry” Said the rabbit “but I can’t remember my name.”

The King was angry and he shook the rabbit by the ears. “You are a rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!” “Oh yes, I’m a rabbit”

The rabbit went for a walk and he saw a……

“What’s your name?” Said the rabbit. “My name’s…..”

The rabbit said: “My name’s…..Oh no, I can’t remember my name! Goodbye!”

Suddenly his ears grew just a little bit. And he continued until he saw…..

The rabbit’s ears were long and suddenly remembered the King. “My name’s rabbit. Hello hippo, my name’s rabbit; hello…..”

And that is how rabbits got long ears.