Beatrix and her Rabbit

Over one hundred years ago, back when people still rode in horse-drawn carriages and there were no televisions or mobile phones, a girl called Beatrix was born. From the very beginning, she loved nature, animals, and the countryside. She was excited about every squeaky gate, every pig trough, and every wild duck swimming in the lake. In short, everything is connected with animals. When she was a little older, she began raising different creatures at home — from rabbits, mice and newts, to small lizards and bats.

Beatrix was someone who could find beauty in anyone and anything, and she adored all animals. This love soon sparked an idea: what if she tried making a drawing of every single creature that came into her life.

Grabbing a pencil and a sheet of paper, Beatrix got down to work. She drew very carefully and with impeccable accuracy, closely observing the kind of fur or feathers the animal had, how they moved, the number of claws or talons, and how they swung their tail or flapped their wings. Her small hands finished one picture after another. They were all so lovely. Everyone admired them.

Her parents were very proud of their little girl and happily supported her passion. To further encourage her, they arranged drawing lessons and also took her to galleries and exhibitions. As a result, Beatrix was getting better and better at making art.

“Mummy, do you think the rabbit’s eyes I drew look right? Daddy, do you like how I’ve drawn his tail?” With every new picture she ran to her parents, asking them such questions.

Pencils, paints, and critters kept Beatrix company throughout most of her childhood. But when the little girl turned into a young woman, the atmosphere at home changed. Basically,…