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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1990-12-19, Page 35Christmas and the plain brown bear Santa's workshop was filled with teddy bears. There were big teddy bears and small teddy bears. There were boy teddy bears and girl teddy bears. There were fat teddy bears and thin teddy bears. There were brown teddy bears and white teddy bears. There were teddy bears that smiled and teddy bears that didn't. There Were teddy bears that sat up and teddy bears that couldn't. There Were teddy bears that wore clothes and teddy bears that wouldn't. There were teddy bears that could talk. There were teddy bears that could walk. There were teddy bears whose eyes would close. Them was even a teddy bear who could play a drum, But do you know what? Not one teddy bear in Santa's workshop had a name. Of course, every teddy bear knew that Christmas was the very best time of the year to find a family who could give you a name. "I will be the first teddy bear to find a home and get a name." bragged the teddy bear who played the drum. "There's not another teddy bear in the whole world like me." "I'm so pretty and soft I will have no trouble getting a nanie," boasted the teddy bear with the eyes that closed. "My eyelashes are so beautiful, every little girl wilt Wantale" IntemeliMe with her." "Teddy bears who talk are always picked first," said the big white bear with the pink paws and eats. "I know I will be 'a Christmas gift for some cbild who will give me a beautiful name." All the teddy bears in Santa's workshop were very, very good, especially near Christmas. They never made any noise .and -they, sat right where Santa put them. Every teddy bear was just waiting for Christmas. That's when Santa packed them up and sent them away to be sold in a toy store where they could be admired by the children and sold to Christmas shoppers. Yes sir, the best thing that could ever happen to a teddy bear was to become a gift in somebody's Christmas stocking. One by one, the teddy bears in Santa's workshop left The workshop got emptier and emptier until on Christmas Eve, there was just one teddy bear left on the shelf. "Looks like you'll be staying here for Christmas," the head elf told the lonely little teddy bear who was huddled in the corner. "Santa must have been overstocked. He doesn't need you. I guess you won['t get a name this Christmas. Yoq'll be plain old teddy bear for another year." The head elf shut off *1 the lights in the workshop, locked the door and went away. It was very dark and very quiet and the little teddy bear was all alone. There was not one other toy in the workshop. He was the only toy in the whole world that Santa didn't need. A big tear rolled down the teddy bear's cheek. "Plain old teddy bear. That's all I am. That's all I'll ever be. My eyes don't close. 1 can't taUc..1. don't play the drum. I'm jnata plain Oki twown teddy bear that nobody wants,* cried the little teddy bear. The clock on the wall struck midnight. Then one o'clock. Then two o'clock. The disappointed teddy hear in the workshop just sat and stared straight ahead. Suddenly, the teddy bear heard a noble. At first it was just.a scratching. Then it became a rumbling. Now it was a ti..w.o- sh and a great thud. "By my whiskers*" said Santa Claus. "This has never happened to Inc before. It's the first time I've forgotten a teddy bear." The teddy bear could hardly believe his "lVf)' InanerY isn't as good as it used to be. I made itirlist and I checked it twice and still I got mixed-up," mumbled Santa Claus. 'I should have listened to my wife. She told me I'm getting older and should be hiring a secretary to help me to remember. Now let's see. Where is that plain brown teddy bear?" • The teddy bear was trembling with excitement. Ile wished he could sheet out. "Here I am Sante - but of course you and I know he couldn't talk. • "Ho, ho, ho. What's this? What's thisj" laughted Sanaa Claus. "Just exactly what Jane ordered. Come here. little fellow. Let's have a good look atyou." The teddy bear was lifted off the shelf by two large hands. Ile was - gently examined, all over by the fat little man with a long white beard wearing a red suit and a red hat trimmed with fur. "You% do just fine," chuckled Santa. "You are soft and brown with button eyes. Your nose and mouth are made of wool. You have two floppy ears and a bobbed tail. You are just exactlyright." Santa stuffed the plain brown teddy bear in the bag he carried on his back. Then just like a miracle, they were in Santa's sleigh and soaring high over the town: "Ho, ho, ho," shouted Santa as they flew. "I love to make children happy at Christmas." Before you could say "Rudolph The Red -Nosed Reindeer", Santa's sleigh landed on a rooftop. And before you could shout "Merry Christmas", Santa was down the chimney. "I'll put you right here in this little chair where Jane will see you just as soon as she gets up to open her presents," Santa said to the teddy bear. Then Santa put a red and white stocking cap on the teddy bear's head arra a big red ribbon around his neck. And befOre you could sing "Jingle Bells" he was gone. The teddy bear looked around at his new home. There was a wonderful fireplace and a double front door with a brass doorbell right in the middle. He was so happy he thought he would burst. "Wake up. wake up," shouted a' little girl as she ran down the stairs. "It's Christmas morning and Santa has been here. Hurry. Get up and see what ffe brought for us." Just like Santa Claus planned it, the little girl saw the teddy bear right away. She jumped up and down `with joy. She knelt down beside die teddy bear and stroked his soft body. "A 'plain brown teddy bear," she said, taking him in her arms and holding him Tara to page 12A• Datendoer $N Etat 1 A If we could, we'd send a bouquet of love and thanks to youfor your welcome patronage in the past Have a great Christmas. Froin Donna Sue, Kate, Tanya, Heather, Mr. Cook & families Valley Green Flowers LUCKNOW 528-2033