SCOUT: “Paddy! Bogart! Jago! Rosie! Freddy!”
PADDY, JAGO, BOGART, ROSIE and FREDDY: “What is it, Scout?”
SCOUT: “What do you mean, what is it?” *Surprised.*
PADDY: “Well, what is wrong?”
SCOUT: “Paddy!” *Stomps paw.* “Why do you always think something is wrong when I call for you?”
JAGO: “Because Scout,” *Kindly.* “There usually is something wrong when you call for Paddy.”
SCOUT: “Oh!” *Disappointed.* “Well, today there isn’t anything wrong. I wanted to show you my new hat!” *Holds out a red camellia flower.*
FREDDY: “You new hat, Scout? That looks more like a flower to me.”
ROSIE: “And a very pretty flower at that, Freddy.”
SCOUT: “Well, it is a flower,” *Puts flower on his head.* “But I also thought it made a good hat!” *Proud.*
ROSIE: “Oh Scout!” *Claps paws.* “It looks wonderful!”
PADDY: “Oh yes it does, Scout!”
JAGO: “I hope you didn’t pull that flower of that camellia bush over there.”
SCOUT: “Jago! How could you even think such a thing?” *Shocked.*
BOGART: “Because you like picking flowers, Scout.”
SCOUT: “Well, that is true, Bogart. However, in this instance I found it on the ground just under the bush whilst you were all looking at these pink flowers. What are they, Paddy?”
PADDY: “Azaleas, Scout.”
SCOUT: “I found it on the ground just under the bush whilst you were all looking at these pink azaleas, Bogart.”
FREDDY: “It suits you, Scout.”
SCOUT: “Thank you, Freddy!” *Preens.*
BOGART: “Are there any more flowers on the ground under the bush, Scout?”
SCOUT: “Oh yes, Bogart! Why do you ask?”
BOGART: “Because I’d like one too. I’d like one to match my pretty red bow and compliment my white plush fur.”
ROSIE: “I’d like one too, Scout! I’d like a pink one!”
PADDY: “Come on everybear, and fox! Let’s go see if we can find some pretty camellia blossom hats for Bogart and Rosie!”
PADDY, SCOUT, JAGO, BOGART, ROSIE and FREDDY: “Hoorah!” *Scurry off to find camellia blooms.*
Now that Scout’s cousin Rosie has arrived, and brought with her the spring sunshine after a great many grey, wet and wintery days, Paddy, Scout, Bogart, Jago, and Freddy are showing her around the neighbourhood. Being born bear explorers, Paddy and Scout are always taking the opportunity to wander through people's gardens, taking Bogart, Jago and Freddy with them, that is if they aren’t being led by Rosie, who is by her own admission, quite a tenacious bear. They are also very good at creating an impromptu fashion parade with some fallen camellia blooms!
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.
Rosie is Scout's cousin, because like Scout, she is a free trade knitted bear from Africa. She was made in Kenya by one of the Kenana Knitters, Martha Wanjira. She is made from home spun and dyed wool. She was a gift to me from two very dear friends, includng the one who gave Scout to Paddy.
Bogart has travelled all the way from Georgia, via Alabama as a gift to me from a friend. He has lovely Southern manners and seems to be a fun and gentle soul with an inquisitive nature.
Jago was a gift from a dear friend in England. He is made of English mohair with suede paw pads and glass eyes. He is a gentle bear, kind and patient who carries an air of calm about him. He is already fitting in with everyone else very nicely.
Freddy Fox is made by Merrythought in England. I bought him, of all places, from a men’s accessory shop in Melbourne’s Block Arcade, called Mr. Wares. Freddy Fox is made of English Mohair with felt paws and glass bead eyes. He has so much charm and charisma that already he is winning hearts with anyone whom he meets, and he is kind and sweet, which makes him an ideal member of our family.
