The Velveteen Rabbit

On Christmas morning, a boy found a soft rabbit in his stocking. He hugged the rabbit beside the glowing tree. The rabbit felt splendid and loved.

After the guests left, new toys filled the nursery. The forgotten rabbit sat beside the wise Skin Horse. "A child's love can make a toy Real," said the horse. "Bit by bit, love works its magic."

That evening, Nana could not find the boy's bedtime toy. She placed the velveteen rabbit in his waiting arms. The boy hugged the soft rabbit close and called him Bunny.

From that night onward, Bunny slept beneath the boy's warm chin. They whispered and built blanket burrows together. Bit by bit, love works its magic.

When spring came, the boy carried Bunny into the garden. Nana called him only a toy. "He is REAL!" said the boy, holding Bunny tightly.

That summer, the boy left Bunny safely in the woodland ferns. Two wild rabbits hopped close and showed their strong hind legs. Bunny could not hop, but said, "The boy made me Real."

Then the boy's footsteps rustled nearby, so the wild rabbits fled. The boy lifted lonely Bunny from the ferns. Bunny wondered why being Real felt different.

Weeks later, the boy became ill, so Bunny stayed beside him. Many nights passed. At last, Bunny nestled near the boy as he smiled again.

To keep the boy well, the doctor sent the old toys away. So Nana carried Bunny outside in a sack. Once Nana left, Bunny shed one lonely tear under the moon.

Where Bunny's tear fell, a golden flower opened around a tiny fairy. She kissed his worn nose. "You were Real to the boy. Now all will see."

At the fairy's kiss, Bunny became a living rabbit with strong legs. He made one joyful hop. Then he rested among gentle woodland friends.

The next spring, Bunny watched the healthy boy from quiet ferns. The boy smiled at his familiar spots. Love remains, even when life changes.