"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive.
But the Skin Horse only smiled.
except from -The Velveteen Rabbit
Why is this book only for children? Isn't it a lesson we should all take to heart?
i so agree.
ReplyDeleteOne of my all time favorite books, right up there with Winnie the Pooh and the Wind in the Willows. And then of course, there's Anne of Green Gables. And Ramona. And...you know there are many wise 'voices' ringing back into my heart from my childhood books.
ReplyDeleteI am going to be truthful here, I have never read The Velveteen Rabbit! What kind of mother am I? We read lots of books, just not this one! Have a save road trip.By the way your new grand daughter is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
I am happy to report Earl, seems to be nothing more than a little rain and wind.
denise
Oh that was wonderful! Thanks for the reminder Stevie. I think it's time to get myself a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. A great story.. thanks for the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteAww...this is so sweet. Love that story.
ReplyDeleteThat little #9 on your sidebar is a sweetheart! What a cute picture.
Bravo,
ReplyDelete...I think this little book is definitely more for adults than for children...a classic...
ReplyDeleteI have never heard about this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading the excerpt. And I agree with you, there is so much knowledge and sense in children's books. Sometimes we are so eager to teach the children the wisdoms of life, that we ourselves forget to live by them as well.;)
ReplyDeleteHave a splendid weekend dear friend,
xoxo
We watch this movie every year during the holidays! Lurve it!
ReplyDeleteA FAVORITE!!! The kids wanted to add our copy of this book to the TAG SALE box and I just about came UNGLUED!!!! A real keeper!
ReplyDeleteIt is rather interesting for me to read this blog. Thanks the author for it. I like such themes and anything connected to them. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.
ReplyDeleteAnete Benedict
I don't know that story but enjoyed reading this piece Steviewren - Dave
ReplyDeleteO loved this book as a child! I really believed that my toys came to life as I dreamed at night. It is such a beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteI have forgotten so many of the children's books I read and that I read to my sons. I do hope, before I croak, I'll have a grandchild so I can read them all again!
ReplyDelete