Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

Harold notices that Chester has been on his best behavior ever since he was thrown outside in punishment. This worries Harold because he knows that Chester only “acts that way when he has something devious in the back of his mind” (75). Harold doesn’t know the details of Chester’s plan because the two haven’t spoken since the incident. During this time apart from Chester, Harold realizes that he has a fondness for Bunnicula. He stops by the bunny’s cage in the evenings to chat—although he does all the talking and Bunnicula does all the listening.

One evening, Harold realizes that Bunnicula seems lethargic and sick. He tries to signal this to Toby, but the boy can’t understand Harold. That night, he goes to check on Bunnicula, and he finds that the bunny is out of his cage and Chester is standing next to him wearing garlic around his neck. Harold realizes that Chester has been preventing Bunnicula from going into the kitchen at night, and the bunny is starving as a result. The fact that the Monroes haven’t found any white vegetables in the kitchen confirms this suspicion. Harold confronts Chester’s cruelty and defends Bunnicula, saying that the bunny is “eating his own way” and not hurting anyone (79).