As children, we all have that one toy that means the world to us. While many ultimately come to a point where they feel the need to put such childish things away, more and more of us are learning to appreciate our childhood, and keep those special toys around as a reminder not to lose touch with who we once were, the dreams we once had.

Those are the fortunate ones - those that don't have to work. They get to live rent-free in our homes, and want for nothing. But what about those who weren't so lucky? Those who were eventually sorted into bags and handed off for donation so some other child might love them like you never did.

I hate to be the teddy-bearer of bad news, but you've been lied to.

Most don't know this, so don’t feel too badly, but there's a city out there hidden away where all our lost and abandoned toys ultimately emigrate to when their time in the human world comes to an end. They have jobs, pay rent and mortgages, start families, engage in politics, and go about their lives the best they can, trying not to think too much about the life and comfort that was taken away.

Pick a stuffed animal - it can be one you once had, or one from your imagination - and assign them a job. Does Mr. Teddy work in an office where he's forced to wear a tie and laugh at the boss' horrible jokes so he can get that raise? Maybe Meowmix works as a barista and drinks 10 cups of coffee just to get through the day.

Orrr, maybe - just maybe - your toy is out there living their dreams and became an astronaut. It could happen!

Example illustration by ThatOneMushroomGuy