Billy Troll and the Easter Bunny

“Billy!” exclaimed Dianne Troll, walking up Billy’s pathway. “What are you doing?”

“Hi Dianne,” said Billy, happily. “I’m practicing for the Easter concert that is coming up.”

“Practicing!” exclaimed Dianne, angrily. “How could you be practicing when you don’t even have your guitar out?”

“Oh,” Billy blushed. “Just because I’m not playing my guitar doesn’t mean that I’m not practicing. Actually, I was practicing singing.”

“You’re lucky,” said Dianne, pointing her finger at him. “You have a lot of work to do for this concert.”

“Yes,” said Billy. “I know that. This is going to be the best concert ever.”

“It’s not everyday that you get to sing for the queen of Troll Town,” Dianne reminded him.

“Imagine that,” said Billy. “Little old me singing for the queen!”

“You certainly have come a long way,” said Dianne.

“Yeah,” said Billy. “I guess I have, haven’t I.”

“Hey,” said Dianne. “Do you hear that noise?”

“What noise?” asked Billy.

“Shh,” said Dianne. “It’s coming from behind the big maple tree on your front lawn.”

Billy got up from his porch and walked over to the tree. There, sat a little girl, clutching a teddy bear and crying.

“Hey pretty little thing,” said Billy, offering the girl his handkerchief. “Why the tears?”

“There isn’t going to be an Easter this year,” sobbed the little girl.

“No Easter,” said Billy. “Now where did you hear that?”

“My big brother told me,” said the little girl. “He said Easter Bunny was very sick!”

“The Easter Bunny, sick,” said Billy. “That is terrible.”

“I know,” said the little girl. “My brother said that he is so sick that he won’t be able to bring anyone anything for Easter.”

“Look little girl,” said Billy. “I happen to be good friends with the Easter Bunny. Why don’t you stop crying and wait here with my friend, Dianne? I’ll see if I can’t find my old friend and see what’s wrong with him.”

“You will,” the little girl said, smiling.

“For you,” said Billy. “I will.”

“He’s a very nice man,” said the little girl to Dianne, once Billy had left.

“Yes, Billy is a very special person,” said Dianne. “So, what’s your name?”

“It’s Alicia,” the little girl replied.

“Well, Alicia,” said Dianne. “My name is Dianne. It’s very nice to meet you. How would you like an ice-cream cone?”

“Yes, please!” exclaimed Alicia.

Billy came back in about an hour.

“Billy!” exclaimed Alicia, when Billy came through the door. “How is the Easter Bunny? Is he alright?”

“He’s feeling much better now,” said Billy.

“You mean there is going to be an Easter after all!” exclaimed Alicia.

“Definitely,” said Billy.

“Oh thank you!” exclaimed Alicia. “Thank you so much, Billy.”

“How did you ever find the Easter Bunny?” asked Dianne, once Alicia had left.

“I know the Easter Bunny very well,” said Billy. “He’s my best friend.”

“Oh, is that so, Mr. Troll,” laughed Dianne.

“What!” exclaimed Billy. “You don’t believe me.”

“No,” said Dianne. “Not exactly.”

“Well,” said Billy. “Then I wouldn’t be holding out for that engagement ring that you wanted so badly for Easter!”

“How did you know about that?” asked Dianne, suddenly embarrassed.

“I told you, I know the Easter Bunny!” laughed Billy.