The Velveteen Rabbit

    By seko zezo

    The Velveteen Rabbit cover image

    17 Apr, 2024

    a rabbit sitting in front of a window next to a bunch of stuffed animals and a teddy bear on a shelf, fantastic realism, a storybook illustration, Ed Binkley, rossdraws global illumination

    The Velveteen Rabbit was splendidly comfortable in the nursery. He was loved by the Boy on Christmas morning but soon was forgotten amidst the excitement of other gifts.

    a black and white photo of a child's room with stuffed animals and toys on the floor and a book shelf, photorealism, an ambient occlusion render, Brad Kunkle, ambient occlusion

    Living in the toy cupboard or on the nursery floor, the Rabbit felt insignificant and commonplace. The only toy who was kind to him was the Skin Horse, the oldest toy in the nursery.

    a black and white drawing of a girl and a horse in a bedroom with a window and a bed, figurative art, an ultrafine detailed painting, Bob Byerley, highly detailed digital painting

    One day, the Rabbit asked the Skin Horse about what it means to be 'real'. The Skin Horse, being wise and experienced, explained that real isn't how you're made, but something that happens to you.

    a boy and a horse in a room with a window and a desk with a stuffed animal on it, magic realism, a storybook illustration, David Martin, storybook illustration

    'When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real,' explained the Skin Horse. The Rabbit was intrigued.

    a horse and a rabbit are sitting on a window sill in a room with a window and a window, magic realism, a storybook illustration, Brian Despain, storybook illustration

    The Rabbit asked if the process of becoming real hurts. The Skin Horse paused before answering, 'Sometimes, but when you are Real, you don't mind being hurt.'

    a drawing of a rabbit sitting on a wooden floor in front of a window with a light coming through, photorealism, a photorealistic painting, Ed Binkley, in gouache detailed paintings

    The Rabbit found this concept puzzling yet fascinating. He yearned to be loved by the Boy for a long, long time, to become Real. He yearned to be significant.

    a rabbit sitting on the floor in a room with stuffed animals and a crib with a window and a crib with a crib with stuffed animals, photorealism, a photorealistic painting, Brad Kunkle, highly detailed digital painting

    Days passed and the Velveteen Rabbit continued to live in the toy cupboard, often pondering over the Skin Horse's words. He wondered if he would ever get the chance to be Real.

    a rabbit is reading a book while other rabbits sit around him and look at him in the same direction, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Brad Kunkle, storybook illustration

    One day, the Boy rediscovered the Rabbit. He started playing with him again, this time with more affection. The Rabbit's heart filled with hope.

    a boy holding a rabbit in his lap in a living room with a window and a potted plant, fantastic realism, a storybook illustration, Brad Kunkle, highly detailed digital painting

    As days turned into weeks, the Boy's affection for the Rabbit grew. He carried him everywhere, held him close during sleep. The Rabbit felt loved, cherished.

    a drawing of a rabbit sitting in a doorway with a mouse nearby on the floor and a cabinet with drawers, hyperrealism, a photorealistic painting, Ed Binkley, walton ford

    One day, the Rabbit noticed a change. He felt different, as if he was no longer just a toy. He asked the Skin Horse, who smiled and said, 'You are Real now.'

    a black and white drawing of two rabbits sitting in the grass under a tree at night with the moon in the background, pop surrealism, a storybook illustration, Ed Binkley, storybook illustration

    The Rabbit felt a sense of fulfillment. He was finally Real. He understood now that being Real wasn't about how you were made, but about being loved.

    a horse and her foal are standing in the grass under a full moon sky with a tree and a fence, magic realism, a storybook illustration, Ed Binkley, storybook illustration

    The Rabbit and the Skin Horse spent that night under the soft glow of the moon, basking in the joy of being Real, of being loved. And they lived happily in the nursery, forever cherished.

    The Velveteen Rabbit

    AI Children’s Stories