*Tobias: The Tree of Richard*

The warm morning sun illuminated the vast clearing where the Tree of Richard stood, its towering branches stretching out like a protective canopy. Tobias, his family, Martha, and Bruno approached the tree in reverent silence. The gnarled bark was etched with thousands of names, each one a solemn reminder of a Penitatas who had died before completing their cycles.

“This place is amazing,” Martha said, her floppy ears twitching with excitement. “It’s a historical landmark!”

“It’s more than amazing,” Bruno added. “It’s sacred. This is where everything changed for Penitatas.”

Tobias tilted his head, his skepticism creeping back. “So... it’s a tree with names on it?”

“It’s a memorial,” Mrs. Rowe said firmly. “Every name represents a Penitatas who didn’t make it—some because of sacrifice, others because of tragedy.”

“It’s also where Richard and Robert made their stand,” Edwin added. “This place is both a reminder and a promise.”

Tobias stared at the tree, its branches casting dappled shadows over the ground. “That’s... a lot of names.”

---

*The Group at the Tree*

Beneath the tree’s sprawling branches, a small gathering of children and adults stood quietly. Among them was Blueberry, the light blue rabbit, who waved eagerly as Tobias and the others arrived. Beside her were Sofia and Renee, the identical black-furred rabbit twins. Sofia greeted them with a kind smile, while Renee’s scowl deepened at the sight of Tobias.

“Hey, Tobias!” Blueberry called out. “Welcome to the Tree of Richard! Hi, Martha and Bruno!”

Martha’s ears perked up as she gazed at the carvings. “This is incredible. I can’t believe we’re standing here.”

“It feels... important,” Bruno added, his tone thoughtful.

“It is,” Sofia said softly. “This tree holds the names of every Penitatas who didn’t make it. It’s sacred to us.”

“It’s more than sacred,” Renee snapped. “It’s a warning. Those names remind us of what it takes to be here.”

---

*The Story of Richard*

Sofia led the group to the base of the tree, where two names were carved deeply into the bark: **RICHARD** and **ROBERT.**

“This is where it all started,” Sofia began. “Richard and Robert were the first Penitatas to stand up for our rights. They believed Penitatas weren’t just criminals—we could grow and change.”

“They fought against extreme punishments,” Renee said, her voice sharp. “Richard’s most famous line was, ‘We are not objects.’ He wanted everyone to see Penitatas as people.”

“What happened to them?” Martha asked, her voice filled with concern.

“They were lynched by a mob,” Blueberry said softly. “Right here.”

Tobias’s eyes widened. “Why would they do that?”

“Because people didn’t believe Penitatas could change,” Bruno said. “They thought we were just criminals pretending to be good.”

“But their deaths weren’t in vain,” Sofia said. “Afterward, the government passed Richard’s Law, which banned extreme punishments and ensured Penitatas were treated with dignity.”

“This tree became a memorial,” Renee added. “Every name here belongs to someone who didn’t finish their journey.”

---

*Blueberry’s Connection*

As they moved around the tree, Blueberry stopped in front of two names carved side by side: **BLUEBERRY** and **VIRTUOSO.**

Martha tilted her head. “Blueberry, that’s your name! Why is it here?”

Blueberry sighed, her usual energy fading. “It’s not me. It’s the *original* Blueberry.”

“The original?” Bruno asked, his brow furrowing.

“The first Blueberry wasn’t an artificial rabbit,” Blueberry explained. “She was a real child—a Penitatas like us. She was brave, kind, and one of the most compassionate people you’d ever meet.”

Tobias pointed to the name beside Blueberry’s. “What about Virtuoso?”

“Virtuoso was her best friend,” Blueberry said softly. “She was a tuxedo cat, just like you, Tobias. They believed that together, they could change the way people saw Penitatas.”

Martha’s ears drooped. “What happened to them?”

“They were killed during an uprising,” Blueberry said, her voice trembling slightly. “A mob attacked a group of Penitatas. Blueberry and Virtuoso died protecting the others.”

“That’s awful,” Bruno murmured.

“It is,” Blueberry said. “But their courage inspired the government to approve my creation. I’m an artificial rabbit child, modeled after the original Blueberry.”

“You’re... artificial?” Tobias asked, his brow furrowing.

“Yes,” Blueberry said. “The Pussyfoots designed me to carry on her legacy. I was given her name to honor her sacrifice.”

“So you’re not the original,” Martha said.

“No,” Blueberry replied softly. “But I try to honor both of them every day.”

---

*Breaking the Rules*

As the group reflected on the tree’s history, Tobias felt restless. The stories weighed heavily on him, and he didn’t know how to process them. Spotting a low branch with carvings, he decided to climb up for a closer look, ignoring the **No Climbing** signs.

“Tobias, don’t!” Martha whispered urgently. “You’re not supposed to climb it!”

“I just want to see the names better,” Tobias said, pulling himself onto the branch.

Blueberry’s ears twitched nervously. “Tobias, get down! This place is sacred!”

But it was too late. Mrs. Rowe’s sharp voice rang out. “Tobias Rowe! Get down this instant!”

Tobias froze, his grin fading. Slowly, he climbed down, his stomach sinking as his parents approached.

---

*Discipline at the Tree*

Mrs. Rowe wasted no time. She reached into her bag and pulled out the wooden hairbrush, its polished surface gleaming. Tobias’s heart sank.

“Here?!” Tobias whispered, glancing around at the onlookers. “But—”

“You disrespected a sacred space,” Mrs. Rowe said sternly. “This tree represents sacrifices you don’t fully understand yet. Actions have consequences.”

Edwin gestured to a wooden bench beneath the tree. “Over the bench, Tobias. Pants down.”

Tobias hesitated, his face burning with humiliation. Slowly, he lowered his pants and leaned over the bench, exposing his bare backside.

Mrs. Rowe started with the bristled side of the hairbrush. The first swat landed with a sharp *sting*, and Tobias yelped.

*Smack! Smack!* The bristles bit into his skin, leaving a sharp, prickling sensation. Tobias squirmed, tears welling in his eyes.

After several swats, Mrs. Rowe flipped the hairbrush to the smooth side. The flat surface delivered deeper, burning swats that left Tobias sobbing softly, his face buried in his arms.

When it was over, Mrs. Rowe helped him stand and gestured toward a hard wooden stool near the tree. “Bare bottom on the stool. Reflect on what you’ve done.”

Tobias sniffled as he obeyed, wincing as the hard surface pressed against his sore skin.

---

*Reflection and Growth*

After several minutes, Luna approached him, her voice calm and steady. “Do you understand why this was wrong?”

Tobias nodded, wiping his tears. “I didn’t mean to disrespect the tree, but... I guess I did.”

“This tree isn’t just about the past,” Luna said gently. “It’s about honoring sacrifices and understanding that your actions affect others.”

“I’m sorry,” Tobias said quietly. “I’ll do better.”

---

*A Somber Goodbye*

As the family prepared to leave, Tobias glanced back at the Tree of Richard. Its massive branches swayed gently in the breeze, and the countless carvings seemed to glow in the sunlight. The names **Blueberry** and **Virtuoso** stood out to him now, reminders of the lives behind them and the legacy they left behind.

“I’ll do better,” Tobias said softly to his parents.

Mrs. Rowe placed a hand on his shoulder. “We know you will. Just remember this lesson.”

As the shuttle lifted off, Tobias thought about Richard’s words: *“We are not objects.”* The sacrifices etched into the tree reminded him that respect wasn’t just about rules—it was about understanding the stories of those who came before.