Archived story 1

This is quite a long story - you might want to download it, and read it offline

The Other Three Bears

Once upon a time there were three bears: DaddyBear and his two sons, Ed and Theo. Theo was quiet and studious, but Ed was a real party animal. Both the boys worked in DaddyBear's computer factory, helping to make BearWare.

The trouble all began because Ed was unhappy. He didn't like having to work so hard. He knew that DaddyBear was very rich, and Ed wanted to have some fun. So one day, he went up to DaddyBear and said "Hey, Bear! I don't want to wait for you to lose all your stuffing before I can have some fun. I want to chill out while I still have my hair, Bear. Why don't you buy me out of the Company?" This was very naughty, really, because Ed didn't own any of the company, it belonged to DaddyBear, but DaddyBear understood that Ed couldn't wait to inherit his share.

So the company was valued on the stock market, and DaddyBear gave Ed the money of the value of half of it, into his hot sticky paw. Ed set off towards Teddy Town to find some Fun.

First of all he rented a Really Smart Flat: very showy furniture, art on the walls, fine fur rugs on the floors. Then, he went and bought himself a Big Fast Car. The he went to one of the Fashion Designers, and got himself some very Fine Teddy Clothes. And finally, he booked caterers, and arranged to throw a huge party, so everyone in Teddy Town would know he'd arrived!

Meanwhile, back at home, DaddyBear was sad. He was worried about Ed, and what would happen to him in Teddy Town. He knew that one day, Ed's money would run out. Every day, he would go out to look for Ed, to see if he was coming home. On the first day, DaddyBear went to the garden gate to look. On the second day, he went just outside the gate, and on the third, just to the end of the road. So each day, DaddyBear went that little bit further looking for Ed, hoping one day to see him coming home.

But Ed was having too much Fun. He was going to lots of parties. And he was holding lots of parties. Everybody came to Ed's parties: well, they usually do if there's free food and drink (especially in Teddy Town where such things are very important!) Ed was keeping company with all the rich and famous people. He even had a couple of dates with Barbie! (He said afterwards she wasn't really as pretty as in her pictures - she's too thin for a Teddy's taste!)

But Ed hadn't noticed that his TeddyCash was running out. What would happen when he ran out of money? Ed tried to borrow from some of his 'friends', but people disappeared surprisingly quickly once the free parties stopped. And no-one wants a Bear who's always cadging a loan!

Ed's friends left him. His fast car was repossessed. His fine clothes wore out, and he couldn't pay the rent on his smart flat. He had nowhere to go. Ed found himself out of money, out of friends and out of luck. He lived for a few days on the streets of Teddy Town, but it was cold and lonely. He considered trying to drown himself, but that isn't easy for a Teddy. He was sitting on the edge of the pavement, gazing into the gutter one afternoon, when a man picked him up by the ear. You could tell by the way the man held him that Ed was dirty, and smelly.

The man took Ed into a shop, and dropped him on the counter.

"Look what I just found in the gutter!" he exclaimed "Can you sell that in your Charity Shop?"

The lady behind the counter looked at Ed with distaste

"I don't think so - who'd buy it?"

'It' thought Ed, 'That's what I've become - not 'he' any more, just 'it'' and he sighed deeply. The people didn't hear him. The man picked Ed up, and lobbed him gracefully through the air - into the bin.

Ed landed face down in something sticky. He sneezed.

'Ugh!' he thought 'Cold curry.' He'd landed in the remains of the lady's lunch, and now had cold tikka massala sauce all over his paws and nose.

It was at that moment that Ed came to his senses. He remembered his life at home, with DaddyBear and Theo. He started to weep softly.

'Even DaddyBear's employees in the BearWare factory are better off than I am' he pondered.

And that was when he had his first Good Idea in a long time! He would go back to DaddyBear, and ask for a job. The factory workers had good homes, warm fires, enough to eat. They weren't lying face down in cold curry!

As he headed home, Ed prepared what he had to say to DaddyBear. He knew he'd been very foolish, and naughty. He would need to say he was sorry, and ask DaddyBear very nicely to give him a job.

But you will remember, DaddyBear was out looking for Ed…. So when Ed was not much more than half way home, DaddyBear spotted him, and rushed to meet him. Ed started his apology, saying what a silly bear he'd been, and how sorry he was.

But DaddyBear interrupted him. He sent out for clean clothes, and a warm sponge to remove the cold curry. He sat Ed by the fire while he rushed round, telling all the neighbours that Ed was back, and that evening, DaddyBear threw a party - a welcome home party for Ed!

Well, you can guess, Theo wasn't dead pleased about this. He refused to come into the party. Instead, he sat outside and sulked.

DaddyBear went out, and sat with Theo for a bit, and Theo complained:

"It's not fair! I've never so much as asked for a few coins to go out with my friends. I've worked my paws to the stuffing in your factory, and you've never thrown a party for me!"

DaddyBear put his arm round Theo's shoulder.

"Listen, You are always with me. Everything I have is yours. But tonight, we should celebrate, because your brother has come home! Won't you come in, and make my happiness complete?"

Theo didn't know what to do. He looked into DaddyBear's loving eyes, and…

Well, what do You think he did?

Love

Worry Bear

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Don't worry about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time (Matthew 6:34)

All Worry's Stories are copyright by Rev K Smith (cos bears can't hold copyright) but permission is granted for use in a non-commercial setting