SCOUT: "Paddy? Paddy!"
PADDY: "Yes Scout?"
SCOUT: "Paddy, I'm bored waiting for something to come out of the magic mushroom house. How long do we have to wait?"
BOGART: "I'm getting a grumbly tummy, Paddy."
PADDY: "Well, we probably could go in for afternoon tea and hope that whoever lives in this toadstool house comes out once we have finished and have returned to keep watch."
DANNY BOY: “Aye begorra! It is getting a wee bit warm sitting in the sun, Paddy.”
DAISY-MAUD: "You should have worn a lovely sunhat like me, Danny Boy." *Preens.*
COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Ssshhh everybear. I think I hear something."
*Door in the toadstool house creaks open slowly.*
PADDY, SCOUT, COUSIN PADDINGTON, BOGART, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, ORSON, DANNY BOY, DUCKIE, FREDDY and ALGIE: *Peer forward.*
MUSHROOM FAERIE: "Goodness, Hyacinth! It looks like we have a welcoming committee out here."
HYACINTH FAERIE: "They won't eat us, will they Mushy?"
MUSHROOM FAERIE: "As they are a welcoming committee, Hyacinth, I don't think so! Hullo sweet bears, fox and duck. Greetings from the Land of Fay."
SCOUT: "The land of Fay?"
PADDY: "My goodness! That means that you are real live faeries!"
MUSHROOM FAERIE: "Well of course we are. What a clever bear you are!"
PADDY: "Oh thank you, little faerie."
MUSHROOM FAERIE: "My name is Mushy, the Mushroom faerie and this is my friend the Hyacinth Faerie."
SCOUT: "Are you really faeries?"
HYACINTH FAERIE: "It appears some bears are smarter than others, Mushy." *Sighs.* "Yes of course we are, little bear. Didn't you just hear Mushy say so?"
BOGART: "Goodness, Jago and I have been looking in the garden for ever so long to see you faeries, and to date we've never seen you, have we Jago?"
JAGO: "Indeed no, Bogart."
MUSHROOM FAERIE: "Well, we don't usually make our presence known, even to little bears."
PADDY: "Then why have you appeared before us today, Mushy and Hyacinth?"
HYACINTH FAERIE: "Because today is International Faerie Day, which is the one day of the year when we faeries show ourselves to humans, bears, ducks and foxes as a sign of good will, in an effort to teach you about we faerie folk and strengthen ties between your world and ours."
ROSIE: "Oh how exciting!" *Trembles.* "How do you do!"
COUSIN PADDINGTON: "What a pleasure it is to meet you, little faeries."
SCOUT: "We were just about to have some afternoon tea, Mushy and Hyacinth. Would you care to join us?"
MUSHROOM FAERIE: "Oh yes please! Wouldn't that be lovely Hyacinth?"
HYACINTH FAERIE: "Oh yes it would. I have quite a grumbly tummy!"
MUSHROOM FAERIE: "Grumbly tummy little bear! Grumbly tummy!" *Rubs tummy vigorously.*
SCOUT: "Grumbly tummy little faeries! Grumbly tummy!" *Rubs tummy vigorously.*
PADDY: "Well, that settles it then! Let's go and get some afternoon tea everybear, fox, duck and faerie. Won't Daddy be delighted when we introduce Mushy and Hyacinth to him. He has been saying there are faeries in our garden for years!"
Did you know that today, the 24th of June, is International Faerie Day?
Fairies have existed in just about every culture over the world, though they may have been called by different names. What they have in common, no matter where you go, is that they are spirits that inhabit the world around us and often operate by strange and often odd laws. That’s about where the similarities end, and where the amazingly diverse concepts that are the fae begin.
We’ve all heard of the winged fairies that flit around flowers and are always drawn like butterfly winged cherubs of slight form, but did you know that Dwarves and Gnomes are also part of the fae family? These creatures were common among the Germanic folk, and especially those who worked in mines and mountains. Knockers were a form of fairy that lived in mines and would ‘knock’ to warn miners of pending cave-ins and danger, hence their name.
Celebrate International Fairy Day today by participating in one of the many festivals and celebrations that have formed around the world to honor these mythical creatures. Or you can have a little festival at home by having a fairy themed party with your friends and family! Whatever you do, don’t forget to honor the fae in your own home and garden by leaving out a plate with biscuits or cake and a small portion of milk or wine. They will appreciate it no end, and bring you happiness, good luck and health as faerie wishes. to you for your kindness and generosity.
The two little faeries are hand made and felted by Ambrosius and were acquired from Epoche Toys and Gifts in the small township of Kallista in the Dandenong Ranges, just outside of Melbourne.
The Toadstool Basket is made of rattan and has been hand woven and painted for the sustainable Australian toy company established by two sisters - Olli Ella. It has a flip top that can be unfastened as well as a front door that may be opened.
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, including 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.
Travelling all the way from London, Cousin Paddington was caught in transit thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, so it looks like he is stopping with us for a long while. That makes me happy, as the more I look into his happy, smiling face, the more attached I am becoming to him.
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.
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.
Orson, named after the little bear constellation, was made by the same friend who made Jago and Daisy-Maud. He comes ready dressed in 'trousers' made of German mohair accessorised with embroidered braces. His paws are ultra suede and his eyes are glass. He is described as being a little bit serious minded but very friendly. He's fine once he gets to know you.
Danny Boy, made by the same friend who made Jago, Daisy-Maud and Orson, has a touch of the 'Oirish' in him with his emerald green scarf. He has an open mouth as he likes to sing and comes with his own songbook, "Irish Airs for Teddy Bears". He has a wobbly head to give him animation when he's talking to you, and is made of English mohair, has paws of ultra suede and eyes of glass. Quite a happy-go-lucky little character....
Algie is made by the same friend who made Jago, Daisy-Maud, Orson and Danny Boy. He is is made of sparse English mohair, has paws of ultra suede and eyes of glass. A very adventurous little boy, he loves to climb and sit on top of gates, edges of tables and chairs. He adore climbing trees, and will cheekily sit there with crossed legs. He's very friendly and he loves adventures of any kind.
Duckie I saw when I was at a Sunday market on a stall of homemade knitted and crocheted items. She caught my eye straight away with her happy, smiley face and bright colours. I think she finds life with my bears intriguing and perhaps a little confusing, however she is learning.
