“Yes–though they wouldn’t tell me what–I was simply told you had done ‘something’ and must appear before the council.”
Otter wracked his brain for what he could have done to merit such a severe response, but then he shrugged. “I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding.” He scooted out the door, closing it behind him and smiling kindly at Rabbit. “Lead the way and we’ll clear this whole thing up.”

Rabbit smiled, looking relieved, and the two set off.

The two traveled for days, talking to pass the time. It was on the fifth day that Otter noticed something strange about his traveling companion. While Rabbit still spoke freely and openly with Otter, he would pause every once in a while, glancing up at they sky nervously before, hesitantly, returning to the conversation. Finally, when they began to set up camp for the evening, Otter he could stand it no more.

“My friend, you’ve been glancing up at they sky all day. What’s the matter?”

Rabbit jolted, tearing his eyes from the sky to look at Otter and sighing deeply.

“Well... I suppose there’s no avoiding it. You see, I had hoped we would make better time, but we’re only halfway through this valley. This,” he gestured around him, “Is the Land that Rains Fire. It was fine on my way up to you, but you see those clouds–” he pointed to the pitch dark sky, where neither moon nor cloud could be seen.

“Er, no–”

“–THAT means it’s going to happen tonight!” Rabbit continued, “This is my fault, so I’ll take watch. If it begins to rain fire, I’ll give a shout and you can run to the water there.” Again, he pointed into the steep darkness where Otter could make out nothing,.

“I suppose, you are my guide after all.” Otter conceded, feeling growing unease now that he understood Rabbit’s fear.

“Oh! But your coat! It’s so beautiful and could be damaged... I have an idea! Why don’t you take it off and stuff it into this hollow here.” He patted the tree he sat next too. “That way the fire won’t singe it.”

Otter, who felt this suggestion was very smart, nodded. “I’m glad they sent you as my guide, Rabbit. You know so much about this land.”Rabbit smiled, shifting the log crackling in the small fire at the center of their camp. “Anytime, my friend.”

Later, after Otter had removed his pelt and stuffed it into the tree and then laid down to sleep, Rabbit snuck over, giving a soft shout to see if he was truly asleep. When Otter didn’t respond, he crept over to a large stick he had gathered while finding wood for the fire. He picked it up and wedged it under the logs, which had mostly burned down to coals, before giving a mighty heave and sending them up, up into the air.

“FIRE!” He shouted. “FIRE IS RAINING!”

Now, as anyone who has been jolted from a dead sleep can attest, Otter was more than a little disoriented by this. With a yelp, he started in the direction Rabbit had pointed before he had laid down, crashing through the brush and into the nearby river.

And that is why Otter has lived there ever since.

Now, Rabbit was feeling very smug. His plan was going so well. He chuckled to himself as he slipped on Otter’s coat, rolling his shoulders and...

Rolling his shoulders and realizing... the pelt was too big.

He struggled with the fur for a while, unwilling to admit defeat so easily after all his hard work and planning, before finally finding that if he kept it grasped around his neck and one paw over his face to hide his signature split nose, he could passably look like Otter. With a bounce in his step, he set off into the night, toward the village.

Back in the village, it was about time for Otter and Rabbit to arrive. Those who weren’t busy setting up decorations or preparing food came out to greet the two but were surprised–though not disappointed–to see only Otter coming own the path. Figuring the trickster had found some other source of amusement, they shrugged it off, ushering their old friend into the festivities.

But, as the night progressed, they found Otter to be much more bashful than he usually was. While he wasn’t a loud creature, he was by no means shy, but the whole time he kept his face hidden. He would wave the others away, claiming it a seasonal cold that he didn’t want anyone to catch. Bear, who had been scrutinizing “Otter” all night, finally decided he had had enough.

He lumbered up, his size dwarfing Otter, and stuck a massive paw out.

“Otter!” He rumbled, “How have you been friend!”

Rabbit swallowed. He realized he was stuck–either he had to risk uncovering his face and showing his infamous nose or let go of the pelt, which would loosen and surely raise alarm.

“I-I would love to greet you, old friend, but I don’t want you getting sick!”

“Nonsense!” Bear grinned, all teeth, “I’m made of much sterner stuff.”

Rabbit saw he wasn’t going to get out of his one very easily. Very carefully, pushing his chin down so it pinned the pelt in place at his neck, he stuck out a paw, intending to shake Bear’s hand quickly.

But Bear refused to give him the chance. He pulled the offered paw toward him, yanking Rabbit right out of the stolen fur and into the open where everyone could now see him.

The gig was up and Rabbit leapt, intending to dodge and run away from the punishment that was sure to follow. At the same time, Bear swung out, intending to snatch Rabbit’s long fluffy tail, but his strength popped it clean off, and Rabbit retreated off into the woods.

And that is why Rabbit’s tail is so small and bushy to this day.