SCOUT: “It’s a lovely autumn day, Paddy! Let’s go for a walk and go exploring!”
PADDY: “What a capital idea, Scout!”
BOGART: “Exploring? Can I come?”
SCOUT: “Oh of course, Bogart! I need a tenacious bear offsider!”
JAGO: “May Daisy-Maud and I come too?”
PADDY: “Of course Jago. Please do. It will help Daisy-Maud become acquainted with the neighbourhood too!”
PADDY, SCOUT, BOGART, JAGO and DAISY-MAUD: *All go for a walk outside.*
PADDY: “It’s such a perfect day, don’t you think?”
DAISY-MAUD: “I don’t think so, Paddy. It seems odd.”
SCOUT: “Odd, Daisy-Maud? What’s odd about it? The sun is shining!”
BOGART: “And the sky is blue.”
SCOUT: “And there are crisp autumn leaves to jump on and play with!”
DAISY-MAUD: “That’s my point exactly, Scout! There are autumn leaves all over the ground.” *Picks up curled fallen leaf in paw and twirls it.*
SCOUT: “Well of course there are! It’s autumn! What would autumn be if it weren’t for autumn leaves?”
DAISY-MAUD: “But that’s what I mean too! It shouldn’t be autumn, Scout. May is springtime.”
SCOUT: *Giggles.* “No it isn’t Daisy-Maud. You are confused. Springtime starts around Daddy’s and Paddy’s birthday in September. May is autumn time.”
JAGO: “Don’t worry dear Daisy-Maud, I was confused about the seasons when I first came here too.”
BOGART: “I remember that! We went for a walk in springtime and you said it should be autumn. It confused me too, Daisy-Maud, when I first arrived here from Alabama.”
PADDY: “And me when daddy and I came from England.”
SCOUT: *Giggles.* “Silly Daisy-Maud! It’s not springtime, it’s autumn.” *Giggles more.*
PADDY: “Scout!” *Tuts at Scout.* “That isn’t very nice to laugh at Daisy-Maud like that!”
SCOUT: “But Daisy-Maud says it should be springtime, not autumn, Paddy! That’s funny!” *Giggles more.*
BOGART: “Not necessarily, Scout.”
SCOUT: “What is wrong with everybear?” *Looks perplexed at Paddy, Jago, Bogart and Daisy-Maud.* “Everybear knows that autumn comes after summer, and autumn comes in March, April and May!” *Nods seriously.*
PADDY: “Scout, don’t forget that you are the only bear amongst us who has been born in the Southern Hemisphere. The rest of us have lived in the northern hemisphere.”
SCOUT: “Oh!” *Puts paw to mouth.* “I am sorry, Daisy-Maud! Really I am!” *Contrite.*
DAISY-MAUD: “Oh I’m sure you are, Scout. You are a good and kind bear. I know that you would never purposely say anything to upset me. Can you explain why things are so topsy-turvy here, Paddy?”
PADDY: “Of course, Daisy-Maud. Australia is in the southern hemisphere, and in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are the other way around. It is summer in December, Winter in July, Autumn in April and spring now.”
DAISY-MAUD: “Goodness Paddy!” *Scratches head.* “I did notice that it was an unusually warm Christmas here at Daddy’s house! How on earth will I get used to that?”
JAGO: “Trust me little sister, you do.”
BOGART: “And don’t worry, Daisy-Maud, Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear still comes here on a sleigh with gifts for good little bears, even if there is no snow.”
DAISY-MAUD: “Oh I know, Bogart. Don’t you remember? Orson, Danny Boy, Algie and I all received a lift from the Christmas Bear and Father Christmas to arrive in time to see you all on Christmas Day.”
BOGART: “Oh! That’s right! I had forgotten that!”
SCOUT: “I really am sorry for laughing, Daisy-Maud.”
DAISY-MAUD: “It’s alright, Scout. I know that. You are a sweet little bear.”
SCOUT: “Yes I am!” *Nods emphatically.* “Well, since we all agree now that it is autumn time here, now, shall we all go jumping on leaves to make them crackle?”
BOGART: “Oh yes, Scout!”
JAGO: “Yes indeed, Scout!”
PADDY: “Such a fun idea, Scout!”
DAISY-MAUD: “Will you hold my paw, Scout, and then we can jump together.”
SCOUT: “Oh yes, Daisy-Maud! I’d love to do that!”
PADDY, SCOUT, BOGART, JAGO and DAISY-MAUD: “All start jumping on the crunchy autumnal leaves.*
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.
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.
Daisy Maud is Jago's little sister and was made by the same friend in England who made him. She is made of German mohair with floral fabric cotton paw pads that match her pretty sunhat, and glass eyes. A sweet and loving little girl bear, she is happy to be reunited with her big brother, Jago, and enjoys being spoiled by her new Daddy.
