Lessons from The Velveteen Rabbit (a free copy of this story, courtesy of the public domain, is available in the PDF link below)

 

Digital art by C. Sexton

I was raised in, what can be considered, an abusive household, where harsh words and emotional neglect were often the order of the day. Much of my youth was spent either refereeing the latest outburst of violence between my parents or caring for and trying to protect my younger siblings. Sometimes my efforts were sufficient, but most of the time, they weren't. Even now that we're adults and living better lives, we still struggle with self-worth and self-love, perhaps forever longing to be like the toy in Williams' story who longed to be 'real.'

I only read The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams recently, in preparation for this post. Despite its brevity, I had always overlooked it, grouping it with simple children's stories like The Three Little Pigs or Little Red Riding Hood. But after reading it in full, I finally understood its deeper significance. For me the story brilliantly showcases what it means to be truly loved or 'real' and how becoming 'real' is an experience everyone deserves. However, becoming 'real' is more than a 'magical' transformation as the tale relays. 'Realness' means recognizing and being appreciated for who you are at your core, even on your worst days, and then extending that love to others so they can do the same. I feel the message in this work aligns perfectly with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of love and compassion. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus commands us to "love your neighbor as yourself." Similarly, in John 13:34, He again instructs us to "love one another." These teachings underscore the importance of creating a family or community where everyone feels loved and valued. What could be better than that? Even though it may seem we live in a time rife with superficial connections, reading this classic children's story left me feeling surprisingly hopeful. It reminded me that loving others and loving yourself is timeless.

If you've never read The Velveteen Rabbitt or would like to read it again, please feel free to access this free copy here.