Francis sat down beside God on a bench sheltered by an oak round which
an ivy twined. And God said unto Francis:

"I know what brings thee hither. It shall never be said that there was
any one, whether maggot or rabbit, who was unable to find his Paradise
here. Go therefore to thy fleet-footed friend, and ask him what it is
that he desires. And as soon as he has told thee, I shall grant him
his wish. If he did not understand how to die and to renounce the
world like the others, it was surely because his heart clove too much
to my Earth which, indeed, I love well. Because, Oh Francis, like this
creature of the long ears I love the earth with a profound love.
I love the earth of men, of beasts, of plants, and of stones. Oh
Francis, go and find Rabbit, and tell him that I am his friend."

* * * * *

And Francis set out toward the Paradise of beasts where none of the
children of man except young girls had ever set their foot. There he
met Rabbit who was disconsolately wandering about. But when Rabbit saw
his old master approaching he experienced such joy that he crouched
down with more fright in his eye than ever and with his nostrils
quivering almost imperceptibly.

"Greeting, my brother," said Francis, "I heard the sufferings of your
heart, and I have come here to learn the reason for your sadness. Have
you eaten too many bitter kernels of grain? Why have you not found
the peace of the doves, and of the lambs which are also white...?
Oh harvester of the second crop, for what do you search so restlessly
here where there is no more restlessness, and where never more will