ORIGINAL COMMENT ABOUT THIS STORY–
‘Bob, I can see now where your ‘Rabbit’ story arose from. Well, I soon recognized you yourself had the compassion gene within you, but to have a parent– your parent–your Dad, not only admit error in punishing his child, but then apologize for his actions, and never again physically punish you again, was clear (and rare) proof that your father had It too (the compassion gene).

For, as you said, during that time-period (and up until then), punishment and child ‘hard knocks’, in the guise of “upbringing” was almost a given. For your Dad to show you otherwise– to show you the face of humanity–instead- he clearly revealed too, that he could be trusted as a parent from then on in– by all his above responses (i.e. he paid attention, he took responsibility, he protected–you–thus future-presnet-day Rabbit story…(and a big hop from ‘sonny’ to ‘bunny’ that was born of compassion);~}

Yes. I liked this story and its major realizations; (and I like your Dad now even more)!’