The Velveteen Rabbit may be a sweet little bedtime story about a bunny who becomes Real, but if you plan to read it out loud you better come prepared with some tissues.
The Rabbit has to watch his beauty fade, breakdown after he's mocked by wild rabbits, help his best friend recover from a deadly illness, and then contemplate his life as he waits to be burned to death.
Sure, things turn out a-okay for our little floppy-eared hero in the end, but the path to that happy ending is filled with sorrow. Pass the tissues.
Questions About Sadness
- Why does talking to the wild rabbits make the Velveteen Rabbit so sad?
- Do you think Nana tries to save the Rabbit from the doctor's execution order? Is even she sad to say goodbye to the Boy's furry friend?
- What do you think is the saddest moment in the story?
Chew on This
The Rabbit learns from the Skin Horse that becoming Real isn't all joy and happiness. Real love comes with sadness sometimes—just like in our world.
At one point in the story it says the Rabbit "nearly began to cry," but we know that stuffed animals can't cry. That's why it comes as such a surprise when the Rabbit lets out one tiny tear as he awaits his fiery fate.