There were three of them: Alice and Joanna were twins, while Louise was a year younger. They lived with Mum and Dad, a dog called called Baz, and a cat called Nifty.

Although the girls were sisters, two of them even twins, they were very different, and liked different things.

Alice liked sport and games. She loved to be outdoors, running around. At school she played rounders, netball and tennis. After school she would go to the park whenever she was allowed, and play in the garden if not.

Joanna like to stay in. She did crosswords, puzzles and lots of jigsaws. At school she liked English best. Most of all she liked reading. If you ever wondered where Jo was, she’d be in a corner with her nose in a book. She read books and magazines: she even read the back of the cereal packet at breakfast!

Louise had a vivid imagination. She loved to play with her dolls house or her cuddly toys. She had a huge collection of Barbie Dolls, and used to invent whole stories for them. At school she liked writing best, especially writing stories. After school, when she wasn’t playing with the dolls, she would be in the garden, creating wonderful fantasy worlds for herself.

So those were the three girls: Alice, Joanna, and Louise.

One day, Grandma came for a visit. The girls liked Grandma’s visits. She was fun to be with. She took them on outings. Grandma always had time to listen, to tell or read stories and share jokes. And Grandma always brought sweets and jokes.

So, after Grandma had sat down, had a cup of tea, slipped her shoes off, and asked each of the girls how they were doing at school, she reached into her shopping bag.... and gave each girl a polythene packet. Inside the packet was some paper and some bits of fur. Grandma had brought the girls each a sewing kit, so they could make themselves a teddy bear.

The girls looked at Grandma wide-eyed. None of them knew much about sewing. Louise had just started needlework lessons at school and was finding it difficult. She struggled with the needle in her small hands.

All three girls knew their manners: they thanked Grandma politley, and each gave her a kiss. Alice offered to make her another cup of tea. Grandma declined, and sat back in the armchair to have a good long natter with Mum. The girls wandered off, each to do the things she liked best. The teddy bear kits were forgotten - or so it seemed.

It was six weeks before Grandma visited again. Once again she settled into the big armchair, slipped off her shoes, and asked the girls how they were doing at school. Then, with a twinkling smile, she asked how they’d got with the teddy bear kits.

Alice spoke first:

"Hang on a minute" she said, and ran upstairs. She fetched the kit from under her bed.

"I got my friend Kelly to help me" she announced. And pulled out of the packet a little furry bear. His head was at a rather cute angle (even if it wasn’t meant to be like that) and his ears weren’t quite straight. But he was recogniseably a bear, and had a lovely smile.

Louise also ran off and fetched her kit:

"I’ve been taking it into school" she said, "I got teacher to let me do it in needlework... it isn’t finished yet." And Louise opened her kit and brought out her bear. His head was finished, complete with Teddy face, He had his body and arms, and you could see that Louise had started on his legs and feet paws.

"Teacher says it only need one more lesson.... will it be alright?"

"It will be lovely!" declared Grandma, proudly.

Joanna shuffled her feet. She looked embarrassed.

"And you, Jo?" asked Grandma, "How have you done?"

Joanna mumbled something.

Grandma waited patiently.

Finally, Jo took a deep breath.

" I haven’t done it." she stated. "I knew I’d be no good at it, so I left it on the shelf. It’s still there" She looked at Louise’s nearly finished bear, and Alice’s complete bear, and a tear sneaked out from her eye and trickled down her face.

"Shall I give it to Alice, instead?" asked Grandma, quietly.

Joanne shook her head, dumbly.

"We’ll help you make it!" Louise offered - and Jo managed half a smile

"Go on, Jo!" urged Alice, "Have a go - I did!"

Next time Grandma came she found her favourite armchair already occupied. Sitting proudly on the velvet cushion were three handmade teddies, holding paws. And standing proudly beside them were three little girls, holding hands and smiling.

To the story archive

Back to the front page

Worry is a heavy load, but a kind word cheers you up (Proverbs 12:25)

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.