"The Tale of Peter Rabbit" was inspired by an illustrated letter Potter wrote to Noel Moore, the ill son of her former governess, Annie, in 1893.
The letter described four rabbits – Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter, and their mother. She illustrated the letter with sketches, which the boy adored, and ultimately asked for more stories.
Potter later borrowed the letter back and copied the pictures and story, which she then modified to craft the much-loved tale.
