The Velveteen Rabbit
Book by Margery Williams
Script adapted by Kristin Moran and KGA students
Scene 1
(Grandma is sitting in a rocking chair, Margery enters excitedly)
Margery: Grandma, Grandma! Mommy told me to come find you! She says you have a big surprise for me!
Grandma: Yes that’s true, Margery….but…I was just thinking about taking a midday snooze… (she rocks and pretends to fall asleep, snoring loudly).
Margery: Grandma, c’mon!! (She shakes her)
Grandma: (laughs) I’m just teasing you, sweetheart! Do you want your surprise now?
Margery: I sure do!
Grandma: Okay, close your eyes…(she whistles) Send ‘em in!!
(an assortment of toys enter)
Grandma: Okay, Margery dear…open your eyes!
Margery: Oh my goodness! Look at all these toys!! Are they all for me?! You’re the best Grandma ever!!
Grandma: Oh, no, no dear…these toys aren’t for you.
Margery: What?!
Grandma: No. These toys are here to help me tell you a story!
(Margery looks down sadly)
Grandma: Oh don’t worry, dear. It’s a great story, a classic story! It was my favorite story when I was just a girl!
Margery: What is it?
Grandma: It’s the story of “How Toys Become Real” better known as “The Velveteen Rabbit”
Margery: Toys becoming real? That sounds pretty good, I guess…
Grandma: That’s the spirit! So, where shall we begin? (She scratches her head) Oh, let’s start by having these toys introduce themselves, shall we? (She snaps her fingers) Toys?!
Scene 2
(One by one, the toys introduce themelves)
Hello Kitty (Emily Chao): Hello, I am Hello Kitty! The awesomest and cutest kitty in all nations!
Elf on Shelf (Shea): You all know me! I am Santa Claus’ best helper… the Elf on the Shelf!
Red Rock ‘Em (Jonah): Hello, I’m a red Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em toy.
Blue Rock ‘Em (Dane): And I’m a blue Rock ‘ Em Sock ‘Em. We will rock your socks off! We are by far the best toys in the playroom!
Barbie (Kendall): Step aside, boys! I’m the person you’re all here for… I’m Barbie!
Raquelle Barbie (Sophia): Yeah, and I’m Raquelle, the queen of fashion!(She twirls around like a fashion model).
Fozzie Bear (Lucy): Wocko, Wocko! Hello, I’m Fozzie Bear! Wocko, Wocko! Want to hear a joke?!
Other toys: Okay….
Fozzie Bear (Lucy): I think my ipad is broken. I keep pressing the “home” button, but I’m still here at school! WockoWocko!
Ipad 1 (Shriya): Did I hear someone mention “ipad”? That’s me! I’m the most popular one here! Everyone adore’s me, young and old! Some people couldn’t even live without me!
IPhone (Jimmy): And I’m her cousin, the Iphone. Ask me a question.
Other toy: Why did the chicken cross the road?
IPhone (Jimmy): (Using a Siri-like voice) I’m sorry. I have no particular insight into the motivations of chickens.
Draculara (Elyse): Hi everyone, I’m Draculara! I’m a vampire!
(Everyone looks scared)
Draculara (Elyse): Don’t worry…I’m vegetarian, so I won’t bite you!
Scene 3
Margery: These toys are awesome!
Grandma: You said it, Margery! Now all of these toys belonged to a girl named Olive. Spoiled little whippersnapper if you ask me! Why, when I was a girl we didn’t need all of these electronic gadgets and gizmos! Me and my pals could find hours of entertainment playing jacks or cards or just kickin’ a can in the street! Kids these days are just….
Margery: (she interrupts) Grandma! Can we get back to the story?!
Grandma: Oh right, right! So these toys all lived together in Olive’s playroom. Some toys were more popular than others, but there was one toy they all looked up to….the Wise Horse.
(The Wise Horse enters)
Margery: She looks a little old and beat up to me.
Grandma: Well… she is! She belonged to Olive’s Uncle Marty.
Margery: So what made her so special?
Grandma: She was the only toy in the playroom who became real! All the other toys wanted to be just like her…..watch!
Scene 4
Oinky (Disha): Hello, Wise Horse. I’m Oinky…
Pinky (Emma): … and I’m Pinky! We’re twin Piggy banks!
(Minecraft pig begins oinking next to them)
Wise Horse: Who is your other pig friend?
Oinky (Disha): Some weird minecraft pig!
Pinky (Emma): (irritated)She keeps following us around!
Minecraft Pig (Lana): Oink! My name Reuben… I’m a –oink- minecraft pig!
Oinky (Disha): (shaking her head, also irritated) Wise Horse, we wanted to ask you a question.
Wise Horse: Yes?
Pinky (Emma): If we become real, does that mean we will overflow with money?!
Wise Horse: No.
Pinky and Oinky: Awww….(they walk away sadly with minecraft pig oinking and following them).
Robot (Savanna): (speaking in monotone robot voice) Hello, Wise Horse. I am the SB 2000. If I become real, will my voice change so I don’t have such a boring monotone voice like this…”how may I help you?”, “how may I help you?” “how may I help you?”….
Wise Horse: Umm… I’m not sure, but that is getting annoying, will you please stop?
Robot (Savanna): (exiting and still using monotone) So sorry…
Madaline (Chloe): Hello, Wise Horse. My name is Madiline. I’m an Everafter high doll, or you could say “The falcon is high but the eagle shall fly.”
Wise Horse: Excuse me?
Madaline (Chloe): I talk in riddles, it makes people giggle. If they like my “spiel”, will I become real?
Wise Horse: I’m sorry to say, it don’t work that way.
Scene 5
Margery: Uh, Grandma… I hate to interrupt but…
Grandma: What is it, Margery?
Margery: Well, you said this was the story of “The Velveteen Rabbit”! I don’t see any rabbit with any of those toys!
Grandma: Oh, goodness gracious! How could I forget?! Well, the Velveteen Rabbit is there in the playroom, too. She isn’t the most exciting of toys, rather plain actually. She’s also quite shy, so she was easily overlooked. Most of the other toys ignored her or teased her for being so ordinary.
Leopard (Prisha): Hey, little rabbit! I am a magnificent leopard… just look at my spots! You are just one color and well… blecchh! You are boring! You don’t know how to be bright and colorful like me!
(the Velveteen Rabbit looks down sadly)
Vicky Ventriliquist (Melia): I’m surprised you aren’t rusty, ‘cause you look older than me!
Rabbit: Who are you?
Vicky Ventriliquist (Melia): I’m Vicky the ventriloquist doll. You can control parts of me, but you can’t control my temper!
Army Soldier (Brady): Rabbit, you are so plain and stinky! You smell worse than my dirty old army socks!
(all the other toys laugh)
Scene 6
Margery: Poor little rabbit! I think she’s pretty cute!
Grandma: Luckily, the Velveteen Rabbit did find one friend in the playroom – the Wise Horse. She was the only toy kind enough to befriend the little creature.
Rabbit: Wise Horse?
Horse: Yes, Rabbit?
Rabbit: What does it mean to be Real? Does it mean having things that buzz inside you?
Horse: Real isn't how you are made. It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.
Rabbit: Does it hurt?
Horse: Sometimes...but when you are Real you don't mind being hurt.
Rabbit: Does it happen all at once, like being plugged into a charger?
Horse: It doesn't happen all at once. (Pauses) You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen to people who break easily or have sharp edges or have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. (Pauses) But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
Rabbit: How did you become Real?
Horse: (Smiling)Thegirl’s uncle made me Real. That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.
(Wise Horse exits leaving Rabbit alone with his thoughts)
Rabbit: (sighs) I wonder if I will ever become Real. It sounds amazing...but I don't want to lose my eyes and whiskers....hmm....
Scene 7
(Olive's mom enters quickly cleaning and tidying up all the toys)
Margery: Who's that?
Grandma: That's Olive's mom...she's always coming into the playroom to tidy things up. If you ask me, that should be Olive's job! Why, if she was my daughter, I'd tell her to clean it up...
Margery: (interupting) Grandma!
Grandma: Oh, sorry. Hey... here come's the little whippersnapper now!
(Olive enters sleepily, carrying a blanket)
Olive: Mom! I can't find my Puppy Pal!
Mom: So?!
Olive:(whining) I can't sleep without my Puppy Pal!! Will you help me find him?!
Mom: Olive, it is way past your bedtime! We can't be up all night looking for Puppy Pal!
Olive: But, but...
Mom: Here, take this old Bunny! She'll have to do for tonight! (She grabs Rabbit and hands her to Olive).
Olive: (he yawns sleepily) Okay, mama.
(Mom exits with Olive dragging Rabbit along).
Nutcracker (Madison): I can't believe she sent her to bed with that plain old Rabbit Foo Foo!!
Stuffed cat (Marie): Who cares! I hear there's a midnight showing of Toy Story 2 tonight! Come on, everybody! Let's head down to the basement while the family's still asleep!
(The toys cheer!)
Stuffed cat (Marie): SHHHHH!
(Toy's quietly exit).
Scene 8
Margery: Too bad for the little Rabbit... she's gonna miss watching the movie with all the other toys!
Grandma: That's okay! For this night was the start of something great for our Velveteen Rabbit!
Margery: Oh?
Grandma: On this night, and for many nights after, the Velveteen Rabbit slept in Olive's bed. At first she found it rather uncomfortable, for the girl hugged her very tight, and sometimes rolled over on her, and sometimes she pushed her so far under the pillow that the Rabbit could scarcely breathe.
Margery: That doesn't sound fun!
Grandma: But the Velveteen Rabbit grew to like it, for Olive would talk to her, and make nice tunnels for her under the covers that she said were like the burrows where the real rabbits lived. They would stay up for hours, whispering and playing, until Olive drifted off to sleep. Then Rabbit would snuggle down close under the girl's little warm chin and dream, with Olive's hands clasped close ‘round her all night long.
Margery: A
Grandma: And during the day, wherever Olive went, the Velveteen Rabbit went too...
(Olive enters, pulling the Rabbit in a wagon)
Olive: C’mon, Bunny! Let me take you for a ride!
(Olive continues pulling rabbit in wagon)
Olive: Now, let’s rest and have a picnic, okay Bunny?
(Olive spreads out a blanket and pretends to eat with Rabbit until her mom enters and interrupts).
Mom: Olive?! Have you finished your homework, yet?!
Olive: Aww…snap! Sorry, mom! (to the Rabbit) C’mon, Bunny, we better go get our homework done, or Mr. Miller will not be happy tomorrow!!
Mom: Do you have to bring that silly old Bunny everywhere?! Good grief, I’ve never seen so much fuss over a little raggy toy!!
Olive: Don’t say that about Bunny!! She’s not a toy! She’s REAL!!!
(Mom shakes her head while she and Olive exit)
Scene 9
(The other toys enter)
Baab the Manatee (Sarah): Hey, Bunny Foo Foo! Where were you the other night? You missed the late night showing of Toy Story 2!!
? (Trenton): Yeah, where have you been Velveteen Rabbit? We haven’t seen you in weeks!!
Rabbit:I’ve been spending each night and day with the little girl! And I just heard the best news…. She said I’m REAL!!
(All the toys laugh)
Archer Arushi: You’re not real! I’m Archer Arushi…
Archer Gabby: …and I’m Archer Gabby… we’re the Infernal Archer twins! If you ever become real…
Archer Arushi and Gabby: …we’re going to hunt you down! Mark our words!
Margery: Why do those other toys have to be so mean, Grandma?
Grandma: Who knows? They’re probably just jealous. The Velveteen Rabbit didn’t let their words bother her. That night, she was almost too happy to sleep, and so much love stirred in her little heart that it almost burst. And in her button eyes, that had long ago lost their polish, there came a look of wisdom and true beauty.
Margery: So, she became Real then?
Grandma: Well.... no. . One afternoon, Olive left the Bunny out in the woods, and the little creature was greeted by some wild rabbits who wereReal.
Scene 10
(two rabbits enter and approach the Velveteen Rabbit)
Flopsy: Hi! Are you new to this part of the woods?
(silence from the Velveteen Rabbit)
Mopsy: Can'tshe speak?
Flopsy: I don't know. (He turns to the Velveteen Rabbit) Why don't you get up and play with us?
Mopsy: Yeah, come on! Hop over here!!
Flopsy: I don't think she can! Look! She doesn't have any hind legs!
Mopsy: You're right! (sniffing) She smells a little funny, too!
Flopsy: I don't think this is a Real rabbit! (She looks around nervously) Maybe this is a trap!
Mopsy: Yeah, this is creepy! Let's get out of here!
(They scurry away)
Velveteen Rabbit: Wait! Come back! I am Real! At least, I think I am.....?
Scene 11
Grandma: That was a sad day for our little friend. She really wished she could play with those wild rabbits.
Margery: Poor little Velveteen Rabbit! I thought she wasReal!
Grandma: No, dear... she isn't Real...not yet, anyways. Weeks passed and the little rabbit grew very old and shabby, but Olive loved her just as much. She loved her so hard that she loved all her whiskers off, and the pink lining to her ears turned grey, and her brown spots faded.
Margery: Sounds like she didn't even look like a rabbit anymore!
Grandma: She didn't....except to the girl. To Olive, the rabbit was always beautiful and that's all our little friend cared about.
Margery: So, what happened next in the story, Grandma?
Grandma: Let's bring in all those toys and let them tell the rest!
Scene 12
? (Caleb): What's wrong, soldier? You look depressed!
Toy Soldier (Kathleen): I am! I haven't been played with in weeks! I'm beginning to collect dust!
Ipad 2(Dania): Yeah! The girl hasn't played with me, either! Can you believe it? ME?! An ipad that hasn't been touched in weeks! That must be some kind of world record!!
? (Dawn): Listen up, toys! Let me give you the "411"! Rumor around the playroom is that the girl is sick....very sick!
Toy 6: Yeah, she hasn't gotten out of bed in like 12 days!
? (Dawn): SHHH! Someone's coming!
(Olive's mom and doctor enter)
Doctor: Yes, it's just as I suspected...your daughter has scarlet fever.
Mom: Oh, dear! Will she be okay?!
Doctor: Yes, in time. I see her fever is already starting to go down and it looks like she is on the mend.
Mom: Oh, thank goodness!
Doctor: Now, has Olive been playing with any of these toys since she got sick?
Mom: No, none of these... she's just been attached to that raggedy old Velveteen Rabbit.
Doctor: That stuffed bunny is a mass of scarlet fever germs!! You must get rid of it - burn it at once!!
Mom: But Olive loves that little rabbit...
Doctor: Well, get her a new one. That filthy old Bunny must be destroyed.
Mom: Okay, doctor...
(they exit)
Scene 13
Toy 7: Did you hear that?! They're going to burn that old Bunny Foo Foo!
Toy Soldier (Kathleen): Poor rabbit! I guess we shouldn't have been complaining about not being played with.
Toy 9: Yeah, if the girl had touched us, we'd be going up in flames, too!
(Toys exit. Olive’s mom enters with the Velveteen Rabbit)
Mom: Sorry, little one. I'm going to have to set you out here for the bonfire tonight. (She pats herhead) Thanks for watching over mygirl.
(Mom exits leaving the Rabbit alone)
Margery: Oh no! I can't believe it, Grandma! They're going to burn the Velveteen Rabbit?! This is a horrible story!
Grandma: Just watch...
Scene 14
Rabbit: (she shivers) It's so cold out here! I miss being with Olive in her warm bed. I miss our afternoons together when she pulled me in the wagon and took me on picnics.