《比得兔/彼得兔》的创作来历即最早的故事原形,是来自于1893年,波特小姐写给她家庭教师的五岁儿子的信件。这位家庭老师的儿子长期卧病在床,波特小姐不知道这封信该说些什么,就讲个故事作为这位小男孩的娱乐,并且在故事当中鼓励他。) h9 P% o, \- d5 D- _0 K
"Once upon a time, there were four little Rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter." + [; i$ q. j6 v* _* |" l" N“从前有四只小兔子,他们的名字叫弗洛普茜,默普茜,棉球尾,和比得。”8 V' [8 V1 C9 L( [3 R$ p( M# m