This was one of my favorite books when I was a child. I loved the black-and-white illustrations, and I loved above all else that Ferdinand could not be forced to do what wasn't in his nature. In the end, everybody gives up trying to force Ferdinand to do what THEY expect him to do, and he is returned to his pasture and his favorite cork tree, under which he sits and smells flowers. The last line of the book is: "He is very happy." I always felt very happy when I read this book. I've recently re-read it and it still makes me smile. A classic!