Why Maple is a Tiger Bunny

At first animals wearing the costumes of other animals might appear redundant. And I will admit that it did complicate things for our talented artists. But the idea is not a mere gimmick. Maple the Tiger Bunny is the most asked about character, particularly regarding her costume. So I’m going to spill the beans, at least for her and her unusual get-up. The truth is that bunnies are often misunderstood. They can be fierce, particularly in their defense of their young. Rabbits are intelligent, affectionate, and playful, which is why they are popular pets. But bunnies get a bad rap in popular culture, often depicted as frozen in fear in the face of danger.

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But Maple knows better. She is a strong and courageous bunny. She can jump high, chew through anything, and will always defend the weak. Imagine how frustrating it is to know that one is brave and up for anything, but all anyone sees is the stereotype of a rabbit. I think we all know what it feels like to be reduced to a set of characteristics. So Maple simply decided to take matters into her own hands.

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Now tigers have it pretty easy when it comes to PR. Tigers are unrivaled predators. Everyone respects a tiger. I know I would feel very different confronting a tiger than even the angriest bunny. Maple knows that too. So what do you do if everyone looks at you and can only see the big front teeth and the ridiculously long ears? For Maple, the answer was simple. She put on a costume that represents how she feels on the inside.

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Now this is not a new concept. Wearing a mask or communicating our feelings through our choice of clothing is as old as human existence. The real question is whether Maple will grow into the understanding that she is enough as she is, created by God for a purpose. Honestly, that is the real question for all of us. Will we move into a place of understanding our identity in Christ to such a degree that we can take off our masks? I hope that someday Maple will no longer need the costume to convince others that she has the heart of a lion. Until then, I’m rooting for Maple. She has a big task ahead of her and she will need every bit of courage and strength she can get to defeat the evil lurking in the Forest of Words.

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