Just Get Used To It

“Yes, Rabbit, we’re home,” I said. “This is home?” he asked, with a rather puzzled look on his face. So began the conversation.

“Remember, Rabbit, you’ve lived in a cardboard box for three months.” “Oh,” he replied, “that’s right. I guess that’s why everything looks so different. It’s very bright here. Cardboard boxes don’t have windows, you know.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that. So, Rabbit, tell me what you think. Isn’t this a nice place?” “Well, it’s very nice, but…” “But what?” Rabbit looked toward the bedroom window. “What’s that sound, that rumbling I hear. Don’t you hear it, too?” Rabbits have very sensitive ears. I moved closer to the window. “I think you’re talking about the sound of the train. I’ve heard it now for several days and it has become a background sound.” “A what?” Rabbit asked. “You know, like cars going down the street, the hum of tires on the road. “Oh,” Rabbit said. Remember, Rabbit has not had as much experience as I have in blocking out things I don’t want to see or hear. “Do you think, in time, that I won’t hear the train or the cars? They’ll be there, but I won’t hear them?” “That’s exactly what I mean,” I told him. “Give it a little time and you will be insensitive to the distractions.”

Rabbit looked puzzled. “That’s too bad,” he said. “Human beings seem pretty good at blocking things out, not hearing or seeing. For example, did you see Hummingbird outside about an hour ago? She flew all the way from where we used to live just to say ‘hello’ and you looked right past her.” I didn’t remember seeing a Hummingbird. “I guess you were so busy putting that bookcase together that you just didn’t see her, “Rabbitt added. “Is that what you mean about the sounds outside? Even though they are there, I won’t hear them?

I thought for a moment, and before I could reply, Rabbit concluded: “I don’t think I want to be ‘insensitive’, and have you seen my sunglasses? It’s very bright here in our new home. But, maybe I’ll just get used to it.”

Clever Rabbit.