"........One chilly morning in March, I cannot tell you exactly how many springs later,
Hazel was dozing and waking in his burrow. He had spent a good
deal of time there lately, for he felt the cold and could not seem to smell or run so
well as in days gone by. He had been dreaming in a confused way-something about
rain and elder bloom - when he woke to realize that there was a rabbit lying
quietly beside him - no doubt some young buck who had come to ask his advice. The
sentry in the run outside should not really have let him in without asking first.
Never mind, thought Hazel. He raised his head and said, "Do you want to talk to me?"

"Yes, that's what I've come for", replied the other. "You know me, don't you?".
"Yes, of course," said Hazel, hoping he would be able to remember his name
in a moment. Then he saw that in the darkness of the burrow the stranger's ears
were shining with a faint silver light.
"Yes, my lord," he said. "Yes, I know you".

"You've been feeling tired," said the stranger, "but I can do something about that.
I've come to ask whether you'd care to join my Owsla. We shall be glad to have
you and you'll enjoy it. If you're ready, we might go along now".

They went out past the young sentry, who paid the visitor no attention. The sun
was shining and in spite of the cold there were a few bucks and does at silflay,
keeping out of the wind as they nibbled the shoots of spring grass. It seemed
to Hazel that he would not be needing his body any more, so he left it lying on
the edge of the ditch, but stopped for a moment to watch his rabbits and to try
to get used to the extraordinary feeling that strength and speed were flowing
inexhaustibly out of him into their sleek young bodies and healthy senses.

"You needn't worry about them," said his companion. "They'll be all right-and
thousands like them. If you'll come along, I'll show you what I mean."

He reached the top of the bank in a single, powerful leap. Hazel followed; and
together they slipped away, running easily down through the wood, where the
first primroses were beginning to bloom. " ------- Watership Down