The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

He had china arms and china legs, china paws and a china head, a china torso and a china nose.

Of all the seasons of the year, the rabbit most preferred winter, for the sun set early then and the dining-room windows became dark and Edward could see his own reflection in the glass. And what a reflection it was! What an elegant figure he cut! Edward never ceased to be amazed at his own fineness.

And also, he did not care for Abilene’s parents and their condescending manner toward him. All adults, in fact, condescended to him.

On clear nights, the stars shone, and their pinprick light comforted Edward in a way that he could not quite understand. Often, he stared at the stars all night until the dark finally gave way to dawn.

ONCE THERE WAS A PRINCESS WHO was very beautiful. She shone as bright as the stars on a moonless night. But what difference did it make that she was beautiful? None. No difference.”

“The end?” said Abilene indignantly. “Yes,” said Pellegrina, “the end.” “But it can’t be.” “Why can’t it be?” “Because it came too quickly. Because no one is living happily ever after, that’s why.” “Ah, and so.” Pellegrina nodded. She was quiet for a moment. “But answer me this: how can a story end happily if there is no love? But. Well. It is late. And you must go to sleep.”

But Nellie, before she put him to bed each night, sang Edward a lullaby, a song about a mockingbird that did not sing and a diamond ring that would not shine, and the sound of Nellie’s voice soothed the rabbit and he forgot about Pellegrina.

For the first time, his heart called out to him. It said two words: Nellie. Lawrence.

Edward knew what it was like to say over and over again the names of those you had left behind. He knew what it was like to miss someone. And so he listened. And in his listening, his heart opened wide and then wider still.

Edward looked up at the stars. He started to say the names of the constellations, but then he stopped. “Bull,” his heart said. “Lucy.”

I have been loved, Edward told the stars.

Perhaps, he thought, it is not too late, after all, for me to be saved.

Never in his life had Edward been cradled like a baby. Abilene had not done it. Nor had Nellie. And most certainly Bull had not. It was a singular sensation to be held so gently and yet so fiercely, to be stared down at with so much love. Edward felt the whole of his china body flood with warmth.

Normally, Edward would have found intrusive, clingy behavior of this sort very annoying, but there was something about Sarah Ruth. He wanted to take care of her. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to do more for her.

Bryce said, “You got to look for falling stars. Them are the ones with magic.”

“Hello, Malone,” said Bull. “Hello, good old rabbit pie. We’ve been waiting for you.” Bull swung the door wide and Edward walked inside. Abilene was there, and Nellie and Lawrence and Bryce. “Susanna,” called Nellie. “Jangles,” said Bryce. “Edward,” said Abilene. She held out her arms to him. But Edward stood still. He looked around the room. “You searching for Sarah Ruth?” Bryce asked. Edward nodded.

Your head was broken. I fixed it. I brought you back from the world of the dead.” My heart, thought Edward, my heart is broken.

“I have already been loved,” said Edward. “I have been loved by a girl named Abilene. I have been loved by a fisherman and his wife and a hobo and his dog. I have been loved by a boy who played the harmonica and by a girl who died. Don’t talk to me about love,” he said. “I have known love.”

You must be filled with expectancy. You must be awash in hope. You must wonder who will love you, whom you will love next.”

If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless.

“Open your heart,” she said gently. “Someone will come. Someone will come for you. But first you must open your heart.”

“Edward?” said Abilene. Yes, said Edward. “Edward,” she said again, certain this time. Yes, said Edward, yes, yes, yes. It’s me.

ONCE, THERE WAS A CHINA RABBIT WHO was loved by a little girl. The rabbit went on an ocean journey and fell overboard and was rescued by a fisherman. He was buried under garbage and unburied by a dog. He traveled for a long time with the hoboes and worked for a short time as a scarecrow. Once, there was a rabbit who loved a little girl and watched her die. The rabbit danced on the streets of Memphis. His head was broken open in a diner and was put together again by a doll mender. And the rabbit swore that he would not make the mistake of loving again. Once there was a rabbit who danced in a garden in springtime with the daughter of the woman who had loved him at the beginning of his journey. The girl swung the rabbit as she danced in circles. Sometimes, they went so fast, the two of them, that it seemed as if they were flying. Sometimes, it seemed as if they both had wings. Once, oh marvelous once, there was a rabbit who found his way home.