The Rabbit looked up at her, and it seemed to him that he had seen her face before, but he couldn't think where.
"I am the nursery magic Fairy," she said. "I take care of all the playthings that the children have loved. When they are old and worn out and the children don't need them any more, then I come and take them away with me and turn them into Real."
"Wasn't I Real before?" asked the little Rabbit.
"You were Real to the Boy," the Fairy said, "because he loved you. Now you shall be Real to every one."
--Page 42 of The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams, which totally destroyed me today.
Photo by bird_flew
Waaaaay too hormonal to read that right now... So very, very sweet.
ReplyDeleteAwww...I love that story. I need to get a copy for Levi and Sophia. Although, I'll probably get teary every time I read it.
ReplyDeleteOh I've had tears in my eyes many times while reading the velveteen rabbit. One of my favorite books. I can't wait to read it to our little one due in July!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful:) I decided a long time ago that when the girls are old enough, we're going to give our loved up toys to less fortunate children when we want new ones. I have heard of people doing this and think it teaches kids so much. This passage reminded me of that.
ReplyDeleteLoved + loving = real. Ain't that the truth. Thanks for bringing this back into my consciousness, Leigh!
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