"Why don't you get up and play with us?" one of them asked.

 

"I don't feel like it," said the Rabbit.

 

"I don't believe you can!" he said.

 

"I can!" said the little Rabbit. "I can jump higher than anything!"

 

"Can you hop on your hind legs?" asked the furry rabbit.

 

That was a dreadful question, for the Velveteen Rabbit had no hind legs at all! The back of him was made all in one piece, like a pincushion.

"I don't want to!" he said again.

 

But the wild rabbits have very sharp eyes. "He hasn't got any hind legs!" he called out. Then, he exclaimed, "He doesn't smell right! He isn't a rabbit at all! He isn't real!"

 

"I am Real!" said the little Rabbit. "I am Real! The Boy said so!" And he nearly began to cry.