The on line magazine for the ever day ordinary Teddy Bear and their owners
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The on line magazine for the ever day ordinary Teddy Bear and their owners
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The Ted Rupert and Mollie Page World Wild Life Fund - Adopt a Svalbard Polar Bear
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by Uncle Ben
We hadn’t been in The Warehouse all that long, when early one morning we were disturbed from our sleep, there was a great deal of activity. Woof jumped down from the shelf going off to investigate. She looked rather forlorn and worried on her return. What on earth is wrong I asked my friend the Old English Sheepdog. There are strange things happening, replied Woof, never seen anything quite like it before! Come on tell us please, shouted the Little Bears together. No, I said, stepping in quickly because Woof looked very uncertain. I gently led Woof away from the Little Ones, so they could not overhear us talking. What have you seen? Woof flopped onto the shelf, difficult to say she began, large strange round Orange Objects, with horrible looking faces, little arms, short legs with very big feet, walked down the ramp of a truck into The Warehouse. Very orderly they were, marched in two by two, keeping time with each other, but very frightening all the same. Woof sat up, took a deep breath and continued. These Orange Objects were followed by Dolls, dressed in long black dresses with matching cloaks and tall pointed hats. Then, then, came the broomsticks, they were flying along behind the Dolls. Lastly, a trolley full of boxes of fireworks ……. and there were bats sitting on top. Big black ones scary looking, with large wings.
Oh goodness, what does it all mean? Woof was beside herself with worry. Do you think we should find a safe place to put the Little Bears. I mean, if these Orange Objects and the Dolls are going to be walking about, not to mention the broomsticks, we may be in some sort of danger…. Not that I disbelieve you, I replied, but I had better go and take a look for myself. By that time I got to the far end of the building, the newcomers had arrived in their own area of The Warehouse, luckily, I thought, it was quite some distance from our place. The Orange Objects did indeed look very ferocious, I understood why Woof was so worried. The Dolls were by no means attractive, they all had long pointed chins and rather nasty looking hooked noses. The broomsticks were now stationary, stacked together in dustbins. The large boxes of fireworks looked rather ominous, the bats were missing. Maybe Woof had reason for concern, it was difficult to tell. I decided the best thing was to get some of the Bigger Bears to watch carefully what was happening. Calling all but the Little Bears together to explain, I was delighted Timmy was the first to volunteer, quickly joined by his friends. To be on the safe side, Woof took off to seek a safe hiding place for the Little Bears if necessary, she was still fearing for their safety. A tool bunker that had been taken out of its wrappings, put together ready to go on display in The Showroom, this was thought to be the answer, and Woof carefully placed a box of chocolate biscuits, loads of crisps and some fizzy drinks inside. The rest of the day went by without anything more than the usual comings and goings of The Warehouse staff. As the working day came to an end, I could sense Woof was becoming more and more apprehensive. The Guards came on duty, did their usual rounds, then went off for supper and to watch television, we were left alone. Try not to let the Little Bears see you are worried, I said to Woof, who did her best to play games as usual with them. In fact they enjoyed a wonderful evening, not a mention made of the new arrivals. From secret hidden supply Woof came up with hot chocolate drinks and marmalade sandwiches. Just as we were all about to settle down for the night, whooshing sounds were heard coming from the far end of The Warehouse. Timmy was first to leave the shelf, he had left his friends on watch and wanted to know straight away what was going on. Taking immediate action, Woof herded the Little Bears to the safety of the tool bunker, at least she thought she had!
Waiting for the return of Timmy seemed like forever, when they did arrive all three were laughing and demonstrating various manoeuvres with their arms. Woof first to demand to know what was going on, not to mention her anger about being left so long without any news. Quidditch, replied one of the Bears. You know like in Harry Potter. Gosh, you mean Harry Potter is here, squeaked one of the Little Bears, appearing suddenly out of the shadows and clearly very excited at the mention of Harry Potter.
Hold on, hold on, what is all this about? Just how did you get out of the bunker I demanded. All the Little Bears looked a bit sheepish. We have eaten the chocolate biscuits and crisps, said one holding a bottle of fizzy drink in his hand. How do you Little Bears know about Harry Potter? And, anyway, who is this person? I asked, a little confused. My fault piped up Woof, I read to the Little Bears from the book one of The Guards had left in the office. Quidditch, repeated another Little Bear, flying around on broom sticks trying to catch a snitch, or something …. Then, looking at Timmy and his friends, added with much curiosity for one so young, you mean there are broomsticks here? In The Warehouse? After that it was impossible not to tell the Little Ones what we had seen. Instead of being concerned, they seriously thought their hero was about to fly in! Somehow Woof eventually managed to settle them down for the night, promising to find out more the next day. Now what? All the other Big Bears seemed to ask at the same time. We still do not know what this is about? In my dreams that night I was chased by an unmanned broomstick, escorted by two of the Orange Objects to a meeting with the Dolls and licked on the face by a cat. A cat! I was awake in seconds, a really big, very beautiful gleaming black cat was staring me in the face. She meowed and motioned her head to one side, got up and jumped down from our shelf. Instinctively I followed. Woof was sitting on the floor, very much at attention, looking around, waiting, watching. On guard.
Again the cat meowed. Woof drew back, and her dislike of cats was immediate! The cat though refused to be deterred and went closer to Woof, she sat down and gently put out a paw. Think she wants us to go with her, I said. We set off following the cat along the centre isle of The Warehouse, a route we knew and had taken many times before. Nearing the far end of the building the cat stopped, turned to us and motioned her head towards a side isle.
Slowly and carefully making our way along, fearing this might be some sort of trap, we came face to face with one of the Orange Objects. Having seen them before, maybe it was not as frightening as it could have been. A short stumpy arm pointed us towards a ladder, just like the one we had found to help everyone on and off the shelf. Climbing to the first level, we heard a voice call out "welcome" and doll appeared from nowhere. Gosh, said Woof without thinking, how did you do that? It’s called magic, replied the Doll. Oh dear, Woof said quietly, the Little Bear are going to love this! Magic, that is very Harry Potter! The Doll invited us all to sit down, explaining the other Dolls had asked her to speak on their behalf. Rather like yourselves she said, we come here to The Warehouse, once a year. However things have been running late, delivery schedule went wrong, otherwise we probably would have been long gone before you Bears arrived. Normally we occupy the shelf you are on! I know we must be a bit scary to you, but that’s the way we are - all ready for Halloween. Hallo ……. what? I asked.
The Doll told us more about the events that happen on the 31st October every year, adding that they were not quite as frightening as they sounded. In a couple of days, she continued, we will be moved into The Showroom, where a special sale is being held. Can’t have us hanging around too much longer! Anyway, we wondered if you would all like to join us for a party tomorrow evening. Bet your Little Bears would love it! Woof was a little uncertain, her perceptive doggy instincts coming to the fore, and we left thanking the Doll for the invitation, saying we would let her know in the morning.
Back on our own territory, we talked it through. Timmy pointed out that it might be very difficult keeping the Little Bears away, they would want to know what was happening. Of course as soon as the Little Bears heard about the party, they couldn’t wait for it to start! Woof took off on one of her day time expeditions, which she had become very good at, returning with a copy of the brochure containing the forthcoming sale details. That bit is at least correct she said, as is this Halloween business. So, it was agreed that the Little Bears could go to the Halloween Party accompanied by some of the Big Bears. Once The Guards had settled down to watch television on the evening of the party, the black cat appeared with The Doll, and said the party was about to start, the Little Bears were jumping up and down with excitement. As we walked through The Warehouse ghosts appeared from nowhere, bats flew overhead, and we were escorted by flying broomsticks and a guard of Orange Objects. The Dolls welcomed us, offering drinks and a wonderful selection of food, then they gave a display on broomsticks. Some of the Orange Objects formed a band, the Little Bears danced and everyone played games. It was wonderful to see them so happy.
Getting the Little Bears to leave was going to be a problem, but The Doll had that worked out, the broomsticks waited, lined up on the floor. Anyone ready for a ride, she asked. Without hesitation the Little Bears lined up, oh yes they shouted. Once round The Warehouse, said The Doll, then back to your shelf! Woof hurried off to be there when the first group arrived. It took a number of trips to compete, when the last Little Bears were on their way we said thank you and our farewells, returning down the wide isle of The Warehouse escorted by our Halloween friends. The evening had been good fun, it was nice also to find out we were not the only ones to be annual visitors to The Warehouse. Next day we managed to watch as the procession of Orange Objects and Dolls, together with the Broomsticks, boxes of fireworks and the bats, left for The Showroom. Hope they all find good homes to go to, said Woof, after all my doubts - they really are rather nice! (c) www.freddieandboris.co.uk
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The Christopher Hoggins Interview
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All rights reserved 09 November, 2008
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