SCOUT: "Oh Paddy! Paddy!" *Distressed.*
PADDY: "What is it, Scout!" *Worried.*
SCOUT: "Oh Paddy! I have the most terrible news!"
PADDY: "Goodness Scout, what is it?"
SCOUT: "Mijn beste vriend, Peter..." *Pauses.* "You do know mijn allerbeste vriend, don't you, Paddy?"
PADDY: "Yes, of course I do, Scout! You know I do! We have played together many times with mijn beste vriend Oleg. What is wrong with Peter?"
SCOUT: "Well, I have just had a pre... permon... a dream that Peter is lots on his holiday in Luxembourg with Oleg, and Funky, and Jan, and Mummy Marian! After a long hike, they took a short break by a stream, and Peter went to play in the water and splash about. But then he was getting wet feet and decided to go swim to shore."
PADDY: "And what happened then?"
SCOUT: "Well, nothing Paddy!"
PADDY: "Nothing, Scout?"
SCOUT: "No Paddy, because Peter can't swim! And worst of all he has a grumbly tummy!"
PADDY: "Oh no!" *Puts paw to mouth.*
SCOUT: "We must do something to help mijn allerbeste vriend!"
PADDY: "Yes, of course we must, Scout, but what?" *Ponders.*
SCOUT: "I'm not sure.* *Ponders hard.*
PADDY: "Hhhmmm..." *Thinks.*
SCOUT: "I know! I know!"
PADDY: "What did you think of, Scout?"
SCOUT: "Quick Paddy! Grab your hat and scarf! We are going outside and it is cold."
PADDY: "Alright Scout. But... where are we going?"
SCOUT: "You'll see Paddy!"
PADDY and SCOUT: *Get warm winter scarves and Paddy puts on his hat before following Scout as he runs out of the house and up the street before stopping before a tall, tall tree.*
SCOUT: "Do you see this tree, Paddy?"
PADDY: "Yes Scout! It's very, very tall!"
SCOUT: "Well, being a tenacious bear, I am going to climb the tree to the very, very top. Can you please boost me to the bough just there, Paddy? It's too far away for me to reach!"
PADDY: "Alright Scout." *Boosts Scout up to the lowest branch on the tree.* "What will you do once you have climbed the tree, Scout?"
SCOUT: "Well paddy, once I am there, I should be able to see Peter, and Mummy Marian and Oleg in Luxembourg. I will shout very, very loudly and wave my paws to get Oleg's and Mummy Marian's attention, and let them know that they need to rescue Peter. Because I will be able to see Peter too, I can call out to them where to go. I can wave to Peter too, and tell him that help is on the way."
PADDY: "Oh good luck, Scout!" *Puts paw to mouth. "Be careful!"
SCOUT: "I will, Paddy!"
PADDY: *Watches as Scout climbs carefully to the top of the tree.*
SCOUT: "Oleg...OOOOOOOOOOOleg!!!!"
PADDY: "Not so loud, Scout!" *Puts paw to mouth in a hushing movement.* Everyone will hear you."
SCOUT: "But that's the point, Paddy! OOOOOOOOOOOleg!!!!"
PADDY: "Oh! Oh of course!"
SCOUT: "Oleg...OOOOOOOOOOOleg!!!!" *Gasps.* "Oh I can see him, and Mummy Marian! They are having a picnic! I will wave." *Waves enthusiastically.* "Oleg...OOOOOOOOOOOleg!!!!"
PADDY: "Can they see you? Can they hear you?" *Quietly.* "I know I can."
SCOUT: "Yes! Yes! They see me!" *Waves even more.* "Oleg, Peter went to play in the water and splash about. But then he was getting wet feet and decided to go swim to shore, but of course he can't swim, and now he is stuck, and lost! he can't see you! Save him! Save him! Save him!"
PADDY: *From the bottom of the tree.* "Oh please Oleg, mijn allerbeste vriend, please save Peter!"
SCOUT: "Oh Paddy, he is nodding and waving and yes, he is hurrying towards the stream! Oh mijn beste vriend Peter! Don't worry!" *Waves enthusiastically.* "I have allerted Oleg! he is coming! he is coming! Hoorah!" *Waves more enthusiastically.*
PADDY: "Oh very good, Scout! Well done!"
SCOUT: "Thank you Paddy!"
DADDY: "Goodness! What is going on, Paddy? Why is Scout up a tree calling to Oleg?"
PADDY: "Oh Daddy! Poor Peter went on a hike with Oleg and Mummy Marian, and Peter went to play in the water and splash about. But then he got wet feet and decided to go swim to shore, but of course he can't swim, and now he is stuck, and lost, and worst of all!" *Pauses.* "He has a grumbly tummy! Scout is alerting Oleg and Mummy Marian of Peter's whereabouts, so that they can go and rescue him!"
DADDY: "Well, why didn't you just come and tell me? I could have saved Scout the trouble of climbing that tall tree."
PADDY: "You could, Daddy?"
DADDY: "Yes Paddy! I have Mummy Marian's mobile phone number. I could just have rung her and told her to go looking for Peter."
PADDY: "Oh! Now you tell us, Daddy!" *Hits forehead with paw.*
DADDY: "Oh well, I guess I'd better rescue Scout." *Sighs.* "He'll call for help as soon as he realises that he can't get down."
SCOUT: "Help! help! Daddy! Daaaaadddddyyyy! I'm stuck up this tree and I can't get down!"
My bears Paddy and Scout have made very good friends with two bears in Holland called Peter and Oleg (www.flickr.com/photos/40262251@N03/galleries/721577154558...) and their Mummy Marian Kloon (on and off). Peter and Scout are very similar and have become best friends. Peter loves Rosie and Rosie loves Peter, so they have become prince and princess to one another. Paddy and Oleg are very similar too and have become best friends as well. Peter and Oleg are holidaying with Mummy Marian in Luxembourg and went for a hike. Peter became lost whilst paddling in a stream and needs rescuing. You can see him here: www.flickr.com/photos/66094586@N06/53856075713/in/feed-66... or in the first comment below. Let's hope that Oleg and Mummy Marian can rescue him!
My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.
He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.
Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.
Being colder here, both Paddy and Scout are wearing hand knitted scarves and Paddy is wearing hand knitted hat by Lorna's Lovely Looks. Paddy sports a heart pin and Scout insisted on wearing a pink cupcake one, which seems most appropriate considering his perpetual grumbly tummy. Both were gifts from a good friend who is very fond of both Paddy and Scout.