The Velveteen Rabbit | A Timeless Bedtime Story of Love and Becoming Real for Kids with Audio
Listen To Velveteen Rabbit, A Best Bedtime Story For Kids (Audio)
The Velveteen Rabbit: A Heartwarming Story for Kids
Once Upon a Time, in a Boy’s Nursery
In a cozy nursery filled with toys of all kinds, there lived a velveteen rabbit. He had soft brown and white fur, shiny button eyes, and long floppy ears. Although he was beautifully made, the velveteen rabbit was often overlooked. The mechanical toys and flashy gadgets caught the boy’s attention instead.
The Old Skin Horse’s Wisdom
One day, the velveteen rabbit found himself next to the old skin horse, a wise and well-loved toy.
“What does it mean to be real?” the rabbit asked.
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the skin horse. “It happens when a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you. Then you become real.”
The velveteen rabbit listened intently, dreaming of the day when he might become real.
The Boy’s Favorite Toy
One Christmas, the boy received the velveteen rabbit as a gift. At first, the rabbit was just another toy in the pile, but soon, the boy grew fond of him. The rabbit became his constant companion. Together, they played in the garden, snuggled at bedtime, and shared secrets under the covers.
As the days passed, the velveteen rabbit’s fur began to wear, his tail became loose, and his whiskers grew shabby. But the rabbit didn’t mind. He was happy because the boy loved him.
A Time of Sadness
One spring, the boy fell ill with scarlet fever. The velveteen rabbit stayed by his side through it all. When the boy finally recovered, the doctor instructed the family to burn everything the boy had touched, including the rabbit, to prevent the spread of illness.
Heartbroken, the velveteen rabbit was taken to the garden to be destroyed.
The Magic of Becoming Real
As the velveteen rabbit lay in the garden, tears fell from his shiny button eyes. Suddenly, a magical fairy appeared.
“Why are you crying?” she asked.
“I’m not real, and now I’m going to be forgotten,” the rabbit replied.
The fairy smiled. “You have been loved deeply, and because of that love, I will make you real.”
With a wave of her wand, the velveteen rabbit transformed into a real bunny, with soft fur and bright eyes.
A Happy Ending
The rabbit leaped and bounded through the meadow, free and alive. One day, he saw the boy playing in the garden. The boy looked at the rabbit and thought, “That bunny looks just like my old one.”
Although the boy didn’t realize it, the velveteen rabbit had returned to be near him once more, truly real and truly happy.
Moral of the Story
“Love has the power to transform us into our most authentic selves. It is not appearances but deep, genuine affection that makes us truly real.”
Comprehension Questions for Kids
- What did the velveteen rabbit learn from the old skin horse?
- Why did the fairy make the rabbit real?
- How can we show love and care to others?
Important Note
The story of The Velveteen Rabbit was written by Margery Williams and first published in 1922.
At StoriesCastle.com, we simplify such timeless tales for young readers, keeping their magic and morals intact. Visit us more often for more such amazing bedtime stories for kids.
