Paddington, Scout and the Apricot Blossom

SCOUT: “Oh look, Paddy! Such beautiful fake cherry blossoms!”

 

PADDY: “These aren't fake cherry blossoms, Scout. They aren't even real cherry blossoms, Scout!”

 

SCOUT: “Yes they are, Paddy! I know!”

 

PADDY: “How do you know, Scout?”

 

SCOUT: “Because you taught me, Paddy!" *Nods enthusiastically.*

 

PADDY: "No, I didn't, Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "Yes you did, Paddy!" *Nods emphatically.* "You taught me about those trick cherry blossom trees that don't really produce cherries, so they are fake, fibbing cherry blossoms!"

 

PADDY: “No, no, no, Scout! These aren't cherry blossoms!”

 

SCOUT: “They aren't, Paddy?” *Confused.*

 

PADDY: “No, Scout!”

 

SCOUT: “But they look like fake, fibbing cherry blossoms, Paddy!” *Scratches head with paw.* "I'm confused!"

 

PADDY: “Oh, I'm not surprised, dear Scout!”

 

SCOUT: “So if they aren't fake, fibbing cherry blossoms, then, what are they?”

 

PADDY: “Well, you were right when you identified them as blossoms, but these aren't cherry blossoms. They are apricot blossoms.”

 

SCOUT: “Apricot blossoms, Paddy?"

 

PADDY: “Yes Scout”

 

SCOUT: “Oh but, Paddy! They can't be, because they are white!”

 

PADDY: “Well the blossoms are white, but this is apricot blossom.”

 

SCOUT: “Oh!” *Disgusted.* "So these apricot blossoms are as bad as the fibbing fake cherry blossoms, Paddy!" *Shakes head.*

 

PADDY: “Whatever do you mean, Scout?”

 

SCOUT: “So, the fibbing, fake cherry blossoms are fibbers because they don't really have cherries, so they are fake. You say these blossoms are apricot, Paddy."

 

PADDY: “They are Scout!”

 

SCOUT: “No they aren't, Paddy”

 

PADDY: "Yes they are Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "No they aren't Paddy, because they are white! So, they are fake, fibbing apricot blossoms!"

 

PADDY: “But Scout, they are called apricot blossoms because this is an apricot tree!”

 

SCOUT: “An apricot tree, Paddy!” *Excited.* "Then why didn't you say so?"

 

PADDY: "Err, I just did, Scout."

 

SCOUT: "Well, I love apricots! They are yummy!" *Rubs tummy vigorously and sits down beneath the apricot tree."

 

PADDY: “What are you doing, Scout?”

 

SCOUT: “Well, you just said that this is an apricot tree, so I'm waiting to catch the apricots!”

 

PADDY: “Well Scout, that's a lovely idea, but you may be waiting a while.”

 

SCOUT: “Oh that's alright, Paddy. I can spare a few hours.”

 

PADDY: “They make take longer than a few hours to grow and develop.”

 

SCOUT: “How much longer, Paddy?"

 

PADDY: "Well, days..."

 

SCOUT: "Days, Paddy?"

 

PADDY: "Even weeks, Scout. It could be a month before the apricots grow on the tree."

 

SCOUT: "Months, Paddy?!?! But Paddy! I have a grumbly tummy right now! Grumbly tummy Paddy! Grumbly tummy!" *Rubs tummy vigorously.* "I will fade away from starvation if I wait that long for an apricot!"

 

DADDY: “Hullo you two!”

 

PADDY and SCOUT: “Hullo Daddy!”

 

DADDY: “May I take your photograph in front of the beautiful bank of pretty apricot blossom, please?”

 

PADDY: “Of course you can, Daddy!”

 

SCOUT: “Daddy? Daddy!”

 

DADDY: “Yes Scout?”

 

SCOUT: “May I ask you a question before you take our photo, Daddy?”

 

DADDY: “Of course you can, Scout. What would you like to ask?”

 

SCOUT: “Daddy, do you have any apricots at home?"

 

DADDY: *Smiles.* “Yes I do, Scout. There are some in the fruit bowl on the dining table. Why do you ask?"

 

SCOUT: “Because I have a grumbly tummy, Daddy! Grumbly tummy, Daddy! Grumbly tummy!” *Rubs tummy vigorously.*

 

DADDY: “Oh well, in that case I'd better take your picture now, and then we can go home and you can eat some apricots, or even have some apricot jam on toast."

 

SCOUT: *Shyly.* "May I have both, Daddy? My tummy is very, very grumbly after all the walking we have done."

 

DADDY: "Yes, of course you can, Scout!"

 

SCOUT: *Squeals and jumps for joy.* "Oh thank you, Daddy!"

 

DADDY: "You can have some too, Paddy. You must have a grumbly tummy as well."

 

PADDY: "Well, now you mention it, Daddy... yes I do. Grumbly tummy, Daddy! Grumbly tummy!" *Rubs tummy vigorously.*

 

DADDY: “But first I am going to take your photograph!”

 

SCOUT: “Well, I would like that too, Daddy!”

 

PADDY: “Me too, Daddy!”

 

DADDY: “Alright, when I count to three, say ‘grumbly tummies’! One… two… three!”

 

PADDY and SCOUT: “Grumbly tummies!”

 

Camera goes click and whirr.

 

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.

Done