The Tale of Peter Rabbit

One of the most beloved pieces of children’s literature from my childhood that I can recollect is Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Perhaps one of the first renderings of anthropomorphic creatures wearing clothes and behaving humanly, it was among my inspirational treasure trove of literature that made me, too, wish to be an artist and author. In fact, I remember drawing my own personified creatures—such as cats, birds, dogs, and the like—after entering Potter’s extraordinary world.

It’s definitely the story of a very naughty bunny—Peter, of the title—and his desire to raid the farm of the man who had killed and cooked his very own father (into a rabbit pie, no less). Of course, Peter disobeys his mother—where else would the adventure be if he didn’t?—and enters Mr. McGregor’s garden where he proceeds to gorge himself on as many vegetables as he can eat (which would actually be a dream for most human mothers, right?) until he gets terribly ill.

Of course, McGregor spots Peter and proceeds to chase him out of the garden; Peter, in the chase, loses his shoes and jacket, which McGregor takes and uses for a scarecrow.

When Peter comes home to his mother, she puts him to bed with some warm tea while his sisters—good little bunnies, of course—get treats like blackberries and sweet milk. You can take any moral from the story you wish—don’t steal, listen to your mother, don’t repeat history (with the case of Peter’s father), gorge on food and you won’t get a treat later—but in the end it all comes back to a fun adventure filled with Potter’s gorgeous artwork.

Can you imagine that Beatrix Potter faced so much trouble getting her works published and distributed? Her “bunny books,” as people jokingly called them, were laughed at by some people. Where would these delightful stories be today had someone not realized Potter’s incredible gifts and made them available for all to share? Perhaps Peter’s own disobedience, both reproved and hailed at the same time, represents Potter’s own feelings with her role in the world, as she was an unconventional woman of her time.

Today Peter Rabbit is a global phenomenon, complete with merchandise, dolls, television programs, toys, games, and even food—but it’s his story, and the other Potter stories, that will always stick with us, drawing up an impish grin as we recall the daring rabbit adventures within.