English
Herewasonceavelveteenrabbit,andinthebeginninghewasreallysplendid.
Hewasfatandbunchy,asarabbitshouldbe;hiscoatwasspottedbrownandwhite,hehadrealthreadwhiskers,andhisearswerelinedwithpinksateen.
OnChristmasmorning,whenhesatwedgedinthetopoftheBoy'sstocking,withasprigofhollybetweenhispaws,theeffectwascharming.
Therewereotherthingsinthestocking,nutsandorangesandatoyengine,andchocolatealmondsandaclockworkmouse,buttheRabbitwasquitethebestofall.
ForatleasttwohourstheBoylovedhim,andthenAuntsandUnclescametodinner,andtherewasagreatrustlingoftissuepaperandunwrappingofparcels,andintheexcitementoflookingatallthenewpresentstheVelveteenRabbitwasforgotten.
Foralongtimehelivedinthetoycupboardoronthenurseryfloor,andnoonethoughtverymuchabouthim.
Hewasnaturallyshy,andbeingonlymadeofvelveteen,someofthemoreexpensivetoysquitesnubbedhim.
Themechanicaltoyswereverysuperior,andlookeddownuponeveryoneelse;theywerefullofmodernideas,andpretendedtheywerereal.
Themodelboat,whohadlivedthroughtwoseasonsandlostmostofhispaint,caughtthetonefromthemandnevermissedanopportunityofreferringtohisriggingintechnicalterms.
TheRabbitcouldnotclaimtobeamodelofanything,forhedidn'tknowthatrealrabbitsexisted;hethoughttheywereallstuffedwithsawdustlikehimself,andheunderstoodthatsawdustwasquiteout-of-dateandshouldneverbementionedinmoderncircles.
EvenTimothy,thejointedwoodenlion,whowasmadebythedisabledsoldiers,andshouldhavehadbroaderviews,putonairsandpretendedhewasconnectedwithGovernment.
BetweenthemallthepoorlittleRabbitwasmadetofeelhimselfveryinsignificantandcommonplace,andtheonlypersonwhowaskindtohimatallwastheSkinHorse.
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