Got this ebook on the net. A very beautiful and touching children's book. It tells of a precious china rabbit who was loved by a girl named Abilene. But the rabbit's heart was closed and did not love or care for anyone, not even Abilene who loved him with all her heart. One day, Abilene's family decided to get on a cruise to England; Edward was of course, included in the trip. On the ship, Abilene was teased by two boys and the two boys snatched Edward away and flung him into the deep deep ocean. There Edward stayed season after season, never having a chance to see the stars that he so loved. Then a fierce storm came and threw Edward to the surface of the ocean. He was hauled in by a fisherman called Lawrence who gave Edward to his wife, Nellie. So Edward became Susanna and was well-loved by the old couple, who treated him like a little child. Edward was happy there until the old couple's obnoxious daughter came to visit. Lolly thought Edward ridiculous and dumped him into a trash bin when Nellie wasn't looking. As Edward was carted away by the garbage truck, he felt for the first time a sharp pain to his heart. His heart called out to Nellie and Lawrence. There in the garbage pile, Edward stayed till he was picked up by a dog, Lucy. Lucy belonged to a hobo named Bull. So Edward became Malone and travelled on the road with Bull and Lucy. He enjoyed Bull's stories and songs. Life was good for seven years until Bull and Lucy were caught hitching a free ride on a train. Edward was tossed out of the train. Something deep inside of Edward ached because once again, he was alone. An old lady picked Edward up and he became Clyde the scarecrow. Then came a boy named Bryce who worked for the old lady. Bryce decided to steal Edward for his very ill sister, Sarah Ruth. Edward became Jangles and he was loved fiercely by Sarah Ruth. Edward was happy.
One day, Bryce decided to fit Edward with strings and sticks to make him dance like a puppet. Bryce would play the harmonica and Edward would dance. Then Sarah Ruth's illness worsened and she died. Edward was devastated. He had fallen in love with Sarah Ruth and she had died. Bryce decided to run away to Memphis with Edward. In Memphis Bryce busked on the street,using his harmonica and making Edward dance. Edward was sad and felt hollow because he was dancing not for Sarah Ruth but for strangers.
With his earnings Bryce took Edward to a diner but didn't have enough to pay for the meal he had eaten. Edward was tossed by the owner against a window in a rage. Edward's head cracked into pieces. Whn he awoke he found himself in a doll mender's shop. Bryce had brought him there. However Bryce couldn't afford to pay the mender the fees to mend Edward. The mender gave Bryce two options:to seek other shops for assistance or to give Edward up when he was mended. Bryce chose the latter. This part was particularly touching to me. Bryce had knew that to love meant having the other party's interests at heart, even though it might mean breaking your own heart.
Bryce came back to the shop to have a last look at Edward. He was told by the mender never to come back again. Once again, Edward was alone and he felt his heart turn cold, determined never to love again. An old doll next to Edward told him to open his heart,that someday, someone will come for him. Edward's heart began to stir a little and began yearning for someone to love him again.
Many seasons came and went. Then a 5-year old named Maggie came into the shop. She looked around the shop and her eyes settled on Edward. She wanted him. Maggie's mother came and told her that she couldn't buy dolls that day. Then Edward saw a familiar object that belonged to him around the woman's neck- his old pocket watch. The woman was Abilene. So Edward returned to the girl who had first loved him, and who had loved him with all her heart. Edward reflected back and realized he had been loved by many and had also learned how to love.
In our current world, most of us are stingy with our love. In fact, some of us may never really understand or know the meaning of love. Sometimes love is used. We want love only for our own interests and not for the interest of the other party.
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