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Paddington and Oleg Share a Story

PADDY: *Reading.* "The Prince took Cinderella away with him in his carriage to the palace, where the king and queen were waiting to receive her as their daughter, and very soon she and the Prince were married with great pomp and ceremony."

 

OLEG: *Sighs.* "Oh thank you for reading us Cinderella, Paddy mijn beste vriend!"

 

PADDY: "Oh, you are very welcome, Oleg mijn allerbeste vriend."

 

OLEG: "You are such a good storyteller. I feel like I am there when you read, Paddy."

 

PADDY: "Oh what a lovely compliment, dear Oleg! I love reading, so it is a pleasure."

 

PADDY: “I’m so glad that you are here, Oleg!”

 

OLEG: “Oh I am too Paddy! It’s so lovely, sunny and warm here: just perfect to take away the chill I have been feeling in the snowy Netherlands.”

 

PADDY: "Very good, mijn beste vriend!"

 

OLEG: "It is so peaceful here.”

 

PADDY: “That is partially because Scout is still visiting Peter in the Netherlands where they are taking Peter's Dolly for a walk in her pram. It will give us a little bit more peace and quiet for a nice chat.”

 

OLEG: *Sighs deeply again.*

 

PADDY: "Is everything alright, Oleg?" *Concerned.*

 

OLEG: "What? Oh yes, yes, Paddy!"

 

PADDY: "You sound a little sad, dear Oleg."

 

OLEG: "Oh I'm just wondering how Peter is, and Mummy Marian. I want to meet baby Rune."

 

PADDY: "Oh yes! Mummy Marian's new grandson! That is so exciting for Mummy Marian! Baby Rune looks very cute in the photographs I have seen.

 

OLEG: "I haven't met him yet."

 

PADDY: "Do you want to go home and meet him, Oleg?"

 

OLEG: "Oh no, Paddy! You have been so kind to ask me here to Australia where it is warm, and you and Daddy have been so hospitable! I'm having such a nice time. I don't want to leave you, mijn allerbeste vriend!"

 

PADDY: "Well, don't forget that it is very easy to come and go as you please, mijn beste vriend. That is the joy of Fairy Mum's magical portal. You can have tea with me, and then go home and have dinner with Mummy Marian and meet baby Rune."

 

OLEG: "And you wouldn't mind, Paddy, mijn beste vriend?"

 

PADDY: "Of course not! I wouldn't have suggested it if I minded. I know I will see you again very soon. I'm quite sure that baby Rune would like to meet you."

 

OLEG: "Alright Paddy, maybe I will, if you don't mind. I would like to meet little Rune, and to help Mummy Marian look after him. After all, if Peter is helping, it only seems right that I should too."

 

PADDY: "Very good, dear Oleg, but not before another pot of Twinings English Breakfast tea in my new tea pot from Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear, and another story!"

 

OLEG: "Oh! Good idea mijn beste vriend!"

 

PADDY: "What story would you like next, mijn allerbeste vriend?"

 

OLEG: "Hhhmmm..." *Thinks.* "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs?"

 

PADDY: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs it is, mijn allerbeste vriend!"

 

Paddy and Oleg are reading my 1880 first edition of "Three fairy Princesses - Snow White, the Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella" illustred by Caroline paterson, published by Marcus Ward and Company in London.

 

My bears Paddy and Scout have made very good friends with two bears in Holland called Peter and Oleg (www.flickr.com/photos/40262251@N03/galleries/721577154558...) and their Mummy Marian Kloon (on and off). Peter and Scout are very similar and have become best friends. Paddy and Oleg are very similar and have become best friends too. Paddy decided to invite Oleg to Melbourne where it is lovely and warm, to stay for a little while and share his wonderful new tea set from Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear.

 

This beautiful children's tea set featuring transfer pictures of bouquets of flowers and idyllic English countryside scenes has been made by Woods Ivory Ware in the United Kingdom and dates from the1930s.

 

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.

 

Thank you Marian Kloon (on and off) for the use of Oleg's image in my photo montage.

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Uploaded on January 14, 2025