Original subtitles

[cheerful music]

*

- Oh. - [laughing]

- * Dancing through springtime flowers *

* And rays of summer sun

* Catching white snowflakes on your nose *

* Running through autumn leaves *

* That float from trees on high *

* With our love that is bigger than the sky *

* Guess how much I love you

* Guess how much I love you *

* Guess how much I love you

* Guess how much I love you *

* Guess how much I love you

* Guess how much I love you *

* Guess how much I love you

*

female narrator: One fine spring morning,

Little Nutbrown Hare was very busy playing.

- [grunting]

[laughs] Hey!

Look at me!

[grunts]

[sighs]

[laughs]

Where are you hiding, Big Nutbrown Hare?

[grunting]

narrator: While his father, Big Nutbrown Hare,

was very busy working.

- There you are!

What are you doing?

Whoa!

- [sighs]

Putting fresh leaves in our log.

- Why?

- To make our bed nice and soft. Mwah.

[exclaiming] - [laughing]

Why?

- I promise I will answer all your questions...

[exclaiming]

A bit later on.

- [giggling]

- I have lots of jobs to do today.

- Oh, I'll help you!

- That would be wonderful, Little Nutbrown Hare.

Are you sure?

- Yes.

I promise.

I'll be a big help!

- Well, thank you.

Follow me!

narrator: Making a promise is easy,

but as Little Nutbrown Hare was about to find out,

keeping a promise is much harder.

- Oh.

[gasps]

Ooh.

Hey, wait for me!

[panting]

*

- [grunts]

Have you found any carrots yet,

Little Nutbrown Hare?

- [grunting]

[sighs] Not yet.

- [exclaims]

Ooh.

Maybe try, mm...

over there.

- Ooh.

[grunting]

*

- Tweet, tweet, tweet.

Tweet, tweet. - Huh?

- [giggles] Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet.

Tweet, tweet, tweet.

Tweet, tweet. [giggles]

- Strange.

I've never seen a bird with a long, twirly tail before.

- [giggles] Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet.

Tweet! - [grunts]

[both giggling]

- It's me, Big Nutbrown Hare.

- [chuckles]

So it is.

- So what do you want to play today?

- Oh, I can't play with you today.

Big Nutbrown Hare is very busy and I promised to be a big help.

- [gasps]

Oh, oh, can I help too, Big Nutbrown Hare?

- Of course.

The more the merrier,

and the faster all the jobs will get done.

- Did you say faster?

[laughs] - Faster and faster!

[both panting and laughing]

- Oh. Hey.

- [panting]

[gasps] Look!

*

- What is it?

- A little wriggly worm.

[laughs]

- I'm a wriggly worm too.

[laughing]

- Oh, come on then, wriggly worms.

Let's look for some watercress now.

- Yeah, and have a wash too.

- [laughs]

What a good idea.

*

- [exclaims] The water's cold.

*

- Little Nutbrown Hare...

[water splashing]

- [laughs] Hey.

Little Field Mouse,

you missed some dirt

behind your little ear.

- [laughing]

[yells]

[laughs]

[both laughing]

*

- Oh!

*

Well, I suppose I was a little dirty too.

- Whoops. [giggles]

Sorry. [giggles]

[frog croaking]

- [exclaims]

[frog croaking]

- [laughs]

Croak. [laughs]

[frog croaks] - [laughs]

[giggling] - Croak.

- Croak. - Croak.

- Hey, little green frog helpers.

- Croak. [giggles]

Yes?

- I wonder if you might help me

carry some of this food.

- Of course.

We're here to help! - Good.

Then maybe you can help me pick some berries next.

- Yes!

I love berries!

- Come on!

[panting]

*

- [sighs]

*

- Ah.

Mm.

- [laughs] Little Gray Squirrel.

- Hello!

- Hello.

Do you know what kind of berry this is?

- Oh, yes. A honeyberry!

They're good to eat.

Big Nutbrown Hare told me.

Mmm.

- What are you two up to anyway?

- Well, I promised to help Big Nutbrown Hare today.

- That's right.

- I'm helping too

because there are lots of important jobs to do.

[giggles]

- And which important job

are you helping with now?

*

- Tasting honeyberries to make sure they're ready to eat.

- Me too!

- And are they ripe yet?

- Well, that one was,

but...

I'd better try this one

just to make sure.

*

[laughs]

- Um, Little Nutbrown Hare?

- Yes, Big Nutbrown Hare?

- I wonder if you might help carry all this food home.

- Of course. - We're here to help!

*

- See you soon.

- Where are you going?

- A quick visit to the beehive.

Those honeyberries have given me an idea.

- Can we help?

- Carrying all that food home

will the best help you can give me.

*

- Race you home.

- Wait.

Do you think Big Nutbrown Hare

might like some cherry blossom

as a surprise?

- Great idea!

Big Nutbrown Hare loves flowers!

Race you to the cherry tree!

[panting]

- Hey, wait for me!

Bye, Little Gray Squirrel!

[panting]

*

- Bye!

*

[bee buzzing]

*

[both laughing]

- Beat you! - [laughs]

Oh!

[both laugh]

[bee buzzing]

- What's that sound?

[bee buzzing]

- Oh, it's a bee.

- There's another one.

- Lots.

What are they all doing?

- Gathering pollen from the blossoms I think.

- Well, they sure are busy.

Busy little bees.

Bzz! Bzz!

[laughs]

Bzz! [laughs]

[bees buzzing]

- I wonder where the busy bees are going now.

- Bzzz!

Let's follow them and see!

Bzzz!

- Bzzz!

- Bzz! - [laughs]

- Bzz! - Bzz!

[both laugh]

*

- Bzz! - Bzz!

- [laughs]

So many busy, buzzing bees.

What are they doing, Big Nutbrown Hare?

- Making honey.

- Honey?

Yum!

- I'm hoping they'll share a little with us

for tonight's feast.

- Uh-oh. - Oh, no.

- What is it?

- We were so busy being bees,

we left all the food behind.

- I hope it's still there.

- I'm sure it will be.

- I'm sorry.

I broke my promise to help you.

*

[bees buzzing]

- Wait, Little Nutbrown Hare!

We can still keep your promise.

- Really?

- Yes.

We just need to make ourselves

as busy as bees.

- [laughs] Yes.

Don't worry, Big Nutbrown Hare.

We'll fly back to the meadow and get everything,

and still be back home before you.

Bzzz!

- Don't forget the honey.

Hey, wait for me!

Bzz!

[laughs]

narrator: And so, in the late afternoon

of the spring meadow,

Little Nutbrown Hare and Little Field Mouse

made themselves as busy as bees to keep their promise.

- Hurry! He's coming.

There.

*

- [gasps] Goodness.

- We did it!

- You certainly did.

Thank you for the beautiful feast.

[gasps] And for the blossoms!

- It's our pleasure.

- And for a special treat...

ta-da!

Sweet, golden honey!

both: Hooray!

- A present from the bees.

- Mmm.

[laughs]

Thank you, bees.

*

- Thank you for your help today.

- Well,

a promise is a promise.

[yawns]

These new leaves are very soft.

[laughs]

And this honey is very sweet.

- And so are you.

- [giggles] Am I?

- Yes, you are.

Can you guess how much I love you?

- As much as you like honey. [giggles]

- Yes!

- Even when I break a promise?

- Yes, even then.

- Good.

But it feels much better to keep one

than to break one.

- I agree.

So I promise to love you

always.

- Me too.

Always.

I promise.

[giggles]

*

[cheery music]

*

narrator: One fine summer morning,

Little Nutbrown Hare was eager to find his very best friend

and playmate, Little Field Mouse,

who was also making her way across the meadow

on a happy errand of her own.

- [panting] - [humming]

- [gasps]

[giggles]

- [grunts]

Whoa. Ooh.

[grunting]

Whoa! - [giggling]

- Oh! [laughs]

- Boo! - [yells]

Whoa! [laughs]

Little Field Mouse.

[both laughing]

- Whee!

[both laugh]

- I was looking for you,

Little Field Mouse.

- Well, you found me!

Were you coming to say happy birthday?

- Is it your birthday?

Oh, happy birthday, Little Field Mouse!

[giggles]

I'm going to give you a birthday present!

What would you like?

- Oh.

What would I like?

Uh...

you know, I can't think of anything.

You don't have to give me a present, Little Nutbrown Hare.

- But I want to!

I want to give you the most special birthday present ever!

You are my best friend after all.

- That is true.

Well, I can't wait to see what it is!

So I'll see you later.

* La, la, la, la, la, la, la *

- It needs to be the most special present ever,

so what do you think I should give her?

- Hmm.

You need to think about all the things

Little Field Mouse likes best.

- She likes colorful autumn leaves!

A lot.

- But it's summer now, my Little Nutbrown Hare,

and all the leaves are green.

- Oh, of course.

Well...

she loves the smell of sweet spring honeysuckle,

but there are only summer flowers in the meadow now.

- That's true.

- And sparkling white snowflakes are right out of the question.

[both laugh]

- Yes, but there are plenty

of lovely things in the summer meadow.

You just need to go and find them.

- You are right.

[laughs]

[panting] - Good-bye!

- [exclaiming]

[laughing]

*

[sighs]

Hmm.

She likes flowers.

*

- [humming]

*

- [gasps]

[both laugh]

- [laughs] Hello, Little Nutbrown Hare.

- Oh, hello, Little Field Mouse.

- I'm so excited about the special birthday present

you're giving me!

Can you give me a clue?

[giggles]

- No.

Well, not really.

I--

I want it to be a surprise.

- Oh.

I love surprises,

and I can't wait for this one.

Bye!

* La, la, la, la

* La, la, la, la

* La, la, la, la, la

- [sighs]

I can't wait till I know what it is either.

- Hello, Little Nutbrown Hare.

- Whoa! Wh--oh.

What can't you wait for?

- Oh, hello, Little Gray Squirrel.

I'm looking for a special birthday present

for Little Field Mouse,

but I don't know what to give her.

- Hmm.

That's tough.

- Oh, yes.

She knows exactly what she likes.

- Hmm.

Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Whoa! Oh!

- [laughs] - Oops!

[both laughing]

- Let me help you.

*

Oh.

This is very shiny.

- I think she likes acorns,

and it's just the right size for a little field mouse.

You can have it if you like.

- Thank you!

- [exclaims]

Bye!

- Good-bye!

*

I'm not sure an acorn is special enough.

Maybe there's something else.

*

Hmm.

Those berries are colorful.

[panting]

*

- Boo! - [gasps]

- [laughs]

- Little Redwood Fox!

What are you doing there?

- [laughs] Hiding!

Do you want to play?

- Sorry, I can't.

I'm looking for a special birthday present

for Little Field Mouse.

I'm not sure what to give her.

- That's tricky, but...

I saw some very interesting seedpods over here.

*

- Oh, these are special.

Do you think she'll like them?

- She might.

Why don't you take one anyway.

*

- Oh, thank you, Little Redwood Fox.

- Good-bye.

- [giggles] Good-bye!

Hmm.

I wonder.

*

Oh, hello, Blue Bird.

- Hello, Little Nutbrown Hare.

- Are those feathers for your nest?

- Mm, yes.

Are you not playing with your friends today?

*

- I have to find a birthday present

for Little Field Mouse.

I want to give her something extra special.

- I can understand why.

You are her best friend after all.

- [sighs]

But I don't know what she'd like.

- I know she likes feathers.

Oh, would you like to have this one to give her?

- Oh, yes.

It's a very pretty blue.

Thank you, Blue Bird.

- Wish Little Field Mouse happy birthday from me.

*

- Good-bye!

She might just like this.

*

Hmm.

Which one do you think she'll like best?

- Well, they're all nice, Little Nutbrown Hare.

- But which is the best?

I promised her the most special birthday present ever.

- Well, that depends on who you are.

Why don't you think of all the things you know

about Little Field Mouse.

That should help you decide.

- Good idea!

Hmm.

I know that she can be...

a bit particular.

- Particular?

Do you think so?

- Little Nutbrown Hare!

[humming]

- Oh!

[both exclaiming]

Quick, quick!

- Little Field Mouse.

- Hello!

- Happy birthday, Little Field Mouse.

You do look pretty

with that flower behind your ear.

- Thank you.

I like to look nice on my birthday.

I looked all over the meadow.

It had to be exactly this shade of purple

with these yellow bits in the center,

and with petals just this shape

because...

because that's what I wanted!

* La, la, la, la

* La, la, la, la

* La, la, la, la, la

*

- All right.

A bit particular.

- [sighs] Very particular.

Why did I have to promise her the most special gift ever?

[sighs] - Oh, now, now.

It's never as bad as you think.

There must be something else you know about your friend.

*

- You're right.

I just need to think of it.

*

Yes!

That's it!

*

narrator: And so, that afternoon,

all the friends gathered to see if Little Field Mouse

would like her birthday gift.

- Close your eyes.

- [giggles]

This is so exciting!

*

Can I look now?

Can I?

- Not yet.

- Oh. [giggles]

How about now?

- Okay. Now!

*

- Oh, a necklace!

- Do you like it?

- I love it.

*

- Oh. - All right!

- Hooray! - [giggles]

- It has everything I love from the summer meadow.

- You do look very pretty, Little Field Mouse.

- Lovely! [giggles]

- Very nice indeed.

- Yes!

- Thank you, Little Nutbrown Hare.

This really is the most special birthday gift ever.

*

You know, I would've liked anything that you got me.

- Anything?

- Anything,

but this present is extra special

because you put so much thought into it.

- Actually, everyone helped.

The shiny acorn came from Little Gray Squirrel,

the lovely feather was from Blue Bird,

and Little Redwood Fox found the seedpod,

and Big Nutbrown Hare helped me think of making the necklace.

- Well, that makes it even more special!

Hooray!

Thank you, everyone!

[giggles]

Shall we play now?

- Sure! - Yay!

- I'm it!

One pretty necklace,

two pretty necklaces,

three pretty necklaces.

*

narrator: That evening,

as he settled down with his father

after a most exciting day,

Little Nutbrown Hare felt a very happy feeling inside.

- [panting]

[giggles]

Guess what. - What?

- I think she liked it.

- I'm sure she did.

Well done, Little Nutbrown Hare,

on choosing a very special gift for your friend.

- [panting]

[giggling]

- [laughs]

- Thank you for your help

and guess what else.

- [laughing] Oh.

No, I can't guess.

- Guess how much I love you.

- Let's see...

as much as you like

getting a birthday present?

- No.

More than that.

- Well...

- As much as I like giving one

because whatever the gift is,

giving makes me feel very happy inside.

[sighs]

Goodnight. [giggles]

- Goodnight, my happy Little Nutbrown Hare.

Sleep well.

*

[cheery music]

*