Paddington, Scout and Scout's Christmas Wish for Tutus

SCOUT: "Thank you for lifting me up to post my Christmas wishes list to Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear, Paddy!"

 

PADDY: "You're welcome Scout. It's hard when the slot in the box is so high and you are such a little bear."

 

SCOUT: "I know, but thanks to you, my wishes will now go off to Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear!" *Nods and smiles.*

 

PADDY: "And mine too, Scout." *Smiles.* "Thank you for bringing us to the magic pillar box for Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear, Daddy!"

 

SCOUT: "Yes, thank you, Daddy!"

 

DADDY: :You're welcome Paddy and Scout. Tell me, what did you wish for? What was on your lists?"

 

PADDY: "Well, I asked for a new tea set, Daddy."

 

DADDY: "Another one, Paddy?" *Alarmed.* "But you received one last year from Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear, and the year before!"

 

PADDY: "I know Daddy, but our family is getting larger, and therefore you cannot have too many tea sets."

 

DADDY: "Hhhmmm..." *Thinks.* "Well, I can't argue with that bear logic, Paddy."

 

PADDY: "Of course you can't, Daddy. My bear logic is very... well, logical, Daddy."

 

DADDY: "Indeed Paddy. And what did you wish for, Scout?"

 

SCOUT: "Well Daddy, I wished for tutus... and a crown... and some tutus and..."

 

DADDY: "Wait a moment, Scout."

 

SCOUT: "What Daddy?"

 

DADDY: "You mentioned tutus twice."

 

SCOUT: "I know, Daddy."

 

DADDY: "Well, I think that was a mistake, Scout, if you have already mentioned it once."

 

SCOUT: "Me!" *Horrified.* "A mistake, Daddy?" *Indignant.* "I never make mistakes!"

 

PADDY: "Although you are sometimes a little..." *Ponders.* "Misguided."

 

SCOUT: "Yes! I am sometimes mis... misg... misgui..."

 

PADDY: "Misguided, Scout?" *Helpful.*

 

SCOUT: "I sometimes get confused about the crazy world. But I definitely did not make a mistake!"

 

DADDY: "Yes you have, Scout, you mentioned you added tutus twice on your list."

 

SCOUT: "No I haven't, Daddy!" *Shakes head more.*

 

DADDY: "Yes you have, Scout!"

 

PADDY: "No he hasn't, Daddy."

 

SCOUT: "Paddy is right, Daddy. I fear it is you who have made the mistake. I haven't listed tutus twice on my list, Daddy!" *Shakes head.* "I have listed tutus four times! They are at numbers one and three on my list and also at numbers five and seven." *Nods seriously.*

 

DADDY: "But why, Scout? Surely once is enough."

 

SCOUT: "No it isn't Daddy! Father Christmas is quite ancient, like you, and the Christmas Bear is very busy helping make up for Father Christmas' ancientness! If they skim read my list they may miss that I want tutus if I only list it once."

 

DADDY: "Oh!" *Surprised.*

 

SCOUT: "Besides, as Paddy said, our family is getting bigger, so I will need to start up my own tutu costume hire shop for bears. I found Little Ladybird and Little Bee wearing two of my tutus yesterday! I need more to fulfil the need!" *Nods seriously.* "Besides, you wouldn't want me to look unfashionable in last season's tutus, would you, Daddy?" *Preens.*

 

DADDY: "Well... I could argue that bear logic, Scout."

 

PADDY: I wouldn't if I were you, Daddy." *Warningly.*

 

SCOUT: "I wouldn't either, Daddy!" *Gives Daddy a hard stare and then preens more.*

 

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