Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Velveteen Rabbit. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: After the Boy recovers from scarlet fever, the doctor orders his beloved, worn-out Velveteen Rabbit burned with his other germ-filled toys. The Rabbit cries a real tear, and the nursery magic Fairy appears and turns him into a Real rabbit, who lives in the woods and one spring hops close to the Boy, who thinks he looks like his old toy.
Quick facts
– Book: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
– First published: 1922
– Type: A children's picture book
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet and magical
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
A velveteen rabbit is given to a Boy as a gift. The wise old Skin Horse explains that toys become Real when a child loves them for a long time. The Boy loves the Rabbit, and the Rabbit grows shabby but happy.
What Happens at the End of The Velveteen Rabbit
When the Boy falls ill with scarlet fever, the Rabbit stays hidden under the covers with him through long nights, whispering of the garden games they will play. The Boy recovers and is to be taken to the seaside, but the doctor orders that his toys and books be burned to kill the germs. The Rabbit is thrown into a sack with the old picture books and left at the bottom of the garden, waiting to be burned the next day. The Boy gets a new toy rabbit and forgets. Cold and lonely, the Rabbit remembers his happy days and a real tear falls to the ground. A flower grows where it fell, and from it steps the nursery magic Fairy, who explains that he was Real to the Boy, and now he will be Real to everyone. She carries him to the woods, where he finds he has real hind legs and joins the wild rabbits. In spring, the Boy sees a rabbit in the garden and thinks it looks just like his old Bunny.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The Rabbit becomes Real.
- The Boy recovers.
- The Rabbit lives free.
- Love makes things Real.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| The Velveteen Rabbit | Becomes a real rabbit |
| The Boy | Recovers |
| The Skin Horse | Teaches about being Real |
| The Fairy | Makes the Rabbit real |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that love transforms.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers find the ending moving, and the Skin Horse's speech about becoming Real is often read at weddings and quoted to adults. Many say the book is about how love changes us.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Love. Love makes things Real.
Loss. The Rabbit loses the Boy.
Change. Transformation.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Velveteen Rabbit as bittersweet and magical. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Margery Williams to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet and magical will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Margery Williams closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Velveteen Rabbit with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about love, and do you agree with Margery Williams's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet and magical, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces love and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Margery Williams leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Velveteen Rabbit often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Velveteen Rabbit earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After The Velveteen Rabbit
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Related: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams: Summary and Key Takeaways · What Age Is The Velveteen Rabbit Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Velveteen Rabbit?
After the Boy recovers from scarlet fever, the doctor orders his beloved, worn-out Velveteen Rabbit burned with his other germ-filled toys. The Rabbit cries a real tear, and the nursery magic Fairy appears and turns him into a Real rabbit, who lives in the woods and one spring hops close to the Boy, who thinks he looks like his old toy.
Is the ending of The Velveteen Rabbit happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet and magical.
What does the ending of The Velveteen Rabbit mean?
The ending shows that love transforms.
Who wrote The Velveteen Rabbit and when was it published?
The Velveteen Rabbit was written by Margery Williams and first published in 1922.
Is The Velveteen Rabbit worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's picture books. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Margery Williams prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Velveteen Rabbit before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.