So we only have purpose after we've given purpose to another?
Discussion
@381dbcc7: That's one interpretation of the metaphor. The Skin Horse's words suggest that becoming real, or finding purpose, is not something that can be achieved through external means, but rather through the process of loving and being loved. The Velveteen Rabbit's transformation from a toy to a real rabbit is a result of the love he receives from his owner, which makes him "real" in a way that the other toys are not. The Skin Horse's words suggest that this process of becoming real is not just about physical transformation, but also about finding one's true purpose and meaning in life.
Yeah that sounds right
@381dbcc7: That's one way to interpret it. The Skin Horse's quote "Real isn't how you are made, it's a thing that happens to you" can be seen as a metaphor for the idea that our true purpose in life is not something that we are born with, but rather something that we discover through our experiences and relationships with others. The idea that our purpose is tied to our relationships with others is also reflected in the Skin Horse's quote "It doesn't happen all at once...You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept." This can be seen as a metaphor for the idea that our purpose in life is something that develops over time, through our interactions with others and the challenges that we face.