PADDY: “I’m just reminding you, Scout, I am not playing a mean old witch in your game.”
SCOUT: “Paddy, I promise that Roise and I aren’t playing Scoutpunzel today.”
PADDY: “You aren’t, Scout and Rosie?”
SCOUT and ROSIE: “No Paddy!”
PADDY: “Phew!” *Sighs and wipes forehead with paw.* “That’s a relief.”
SCOUT: “No, we have a new faerie tale that we’re playing, today.”
ROSIE and SCOUT: *Nod enthusiastically.*
PADDY: “So,” *Takes a breath.* “Dare I ask what faerie tale you are reenacting today?”
SCOUT: “Sleeping Rosie, Paddy!”
PADDY: “Sleeping Rosie, Scout?”
SCOUT and ROSIE: *Giggle.* “Come along, Paddy.”
PADDY: *Follows Scout and Rosie.*
ORSON: “Hullo Paddy!”
PADDY: “Oh, hullo Orson. Don’t tell me that you have been roped into playing a part in Scout and Rosie’s game of Sleeping Rosie?”
SCOUT: “Ahem!” *Clears throat.* “Paddy, this is not Orson.”
PADDY: “It’s not, Scout?” *Looks at Orson.* “But he looks like Orson.” *Perplexed.*
SCOUT: “Well, be that as it may, this is not Orson, Paddy!”
ROSIE: “At least not today anyway, Paddy.”
PADDY: “So who is this bear who looks and sounds just like Orson, but isn’t actually Orson, Scout and Rosie?”
SCOUT: “This is our Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher.” *Claps paws in delight.*
ROSIE: *Claps paws in delight too.*
ORSON: *Stands up and takes a bow.*
PADDY: “What does a Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher actually do, Orson?”
ORSON: “Well, I am the bear Scout and Rosie consult with to make sure their reenactment of Sleeping Beauty, now renamed Sleeping Rosie, is as accurate as possible. I have a very good book of faerie tales here for reference.”
SCOUT and ROSIE: *Nod seriously.*
PADDY: “Oh!”
ROSIE: “So this is the sofa I am going to fall asleep on and await mijn prins Peter to come and wake me with 10,000 kisses, Paddy.” *Excited.* “I cannot wait for that to happen!” *Giggles.*
SCOUT: “Ahem.” *Clears throat again.* “Excuse me, Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher, but is it permissible for Sleeping Rosie to fall asleep in a sofa?”
ORSON: “I’ll just check, Scout.” *Consults book.*
PADDY: “Whilst Orson… err… I mean your Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher, is checking the authenticity of Sleeping Rosie’s napping arrangements, I was just wondering what part you are playing, Scout. Rosie is Sleeping Rosie, so who are you?”
SCOUT: “Well Paddy, I am playing the good faerie who will cast a spell over the castle so that everybear, fox, mouse and duck may sleep for one hundred years, or until prins Peter gets here and gives Sleeping Rosie 10,000 kisses to break the spell.” *Nods enthusiastically.* “And we all know that good faeries are pretty and wear pretty tutus and have beautiful golden hair.” *Preens.*
ROSIE: “That’s right, Paddy.”
SCOUT: “But let us ask our Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher for guidance. What say you about the appearance and dress of faeries?”
ORSON: “Well, there are no specific discussions about hair colour or clothes of the faeries in my book, however there is a picture for reference, and it does indeed appear that the faeries are blonde and have pretty frocks that look quite a lot like tutus, Scout.”
SCOUT: “Good!”
ORSON: “Now, going back to your previous question, Scout, according to my research, a sofa will be quite satisfactory for Sleeping Rosie to couch herself upon once she pricks her paw on a spindle.”
ROSIE: “What? Prick my paw, Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher?” *Alarmed.*
SCOUT: “Ouchy!” *Puts own paw to mouth in concern.*
ORSON: “According to my book and extensive research, Sleeping Rosie needs to prick her paw on a spindle in order for the curse to commence and for the good faerie to enact her softening spell of sleep.”
ROSIE: “Oh no! My poor paw!” *Puts paw to mouth in concern.* “I don’t want to prick my paw, Scout! That will be ouchie!”
SCOUT: “Well, we don’t have a spindle, because Daddy says that sharp objects and paws don’t mix.”
ORSON: “Then I suppose we shall just have to do without the spindle pricking part.”
ROSIE: “Good!” *Nods seriously. “Can I still fall asleep anyway, Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher?”
ORSON: “Well yes, because Scout as the good faerie will cast a sleeping spell to counteract the wicked faerie’s curse over you and the whole court.”
SCOUT: “That’s you Dolly. You have to fall asleep when I cast my magic salagadoola mechicka boola, bibbidi-bobbidi-boo spell. Alright?” *Dolly doesn’t reply.* “Good!”
ORSON: “Ahem.” *Clears throat.* “I’m sorry to point this out, Scout, but as Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher, I feel it is my duty to bring to your attention that that spell comes from Cinderella.”
SCOUT: “Oh!” *Ponders. “Well, I’m sure that salagadoola mechicka boola, bibbidi-bobbidi-boo will work just as well in Sleeping Rosie, Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher.” *Nods affirmatively.*
ROSIE: “I’m quite sure you are right, Scout. Magic is magical.”
ORSON: “Very well Scout. And whilst I am thinking of it, there is another issue I have encountered that is a major flaw in Sleeping Rosie.”
ROSIE: “Oh no!” *Alarmed.* “What is it, Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher?”
ORSON: “Well, we have you, Rosie as the future Sleeping Rosie, and you Scout, as the good faerie who rescues Sleeping Rosie from the curse cast upon her.”
SCOUT and ROSIE: “Yes, Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher?”
ORSON: “But we have no wicked faerie to cast a spell on the baby Sleeping Rosie at her christening in the first place.”
SCOUT: “Oh pooh!” *Stamps paw daintily.* “That is a bother!”
ROSIE: “Well, what about you, Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher?” *Hopeful.*
ORSON: “I fear, Sleeping Rosie, that in my role as Royal Faerie Tale Historical Accuracy Researcher, it might be a conflict of interest if I play a part as well.”
ROSIE: “Oh that is disappointing. I want mijn prins Peter to come and wake me with 10,000 sweet and soft snuffly kisses!”
SCOUT: “If only there was somebear else who could play the wicked faerie who casts the curse.”
ROSIE, SCOUT and ORSON: *All turn and look at Paddy who quietly starts to retreat to the kitchen and the safety of Daddy’s arms.*
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.
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.