Real isnt how you are made said the Skin Horse. Its a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long long time not just to play with but REALLY loves you then you become Real.Does it hurt asked the Rabbit. Sometimes said the Skin Horse for he was always truthful. When you are Real you dont mind being hurt. Does it happen all at once like being wound up he asked or bit by bit It doesnt happen all at once said the Skin Horse. You become. It takes a long time. Thats why it doesnt happen often to people who break easily or have sharp edges or who have to be carefully kept. Generally by the time you are Real most of your hair has been loved off and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things dont matter at all because once you are Real you cant be ugly except to people who dont understand.