Childrens teddy bear story

Down Benebear lane and over Honeypot hill Lies a valley no-one knows about, undiscoverEd still.

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In this valley, between the river Bruin and Bumbly forest, nestles a peaceful village, the name of the village is Lower Bearden, and all the inhabitants (as you may have guessed,) are bears.
In the main village street we find Ham, the butcher. His shop is one of the oldest buildings in the village, as he will tell anyone who cares to listen, and anyone who doesn't. Yesterday Mrs. Green, the Grocer's wife came into the shop.

"Nice day Mrs. Green"
"A fine day indeed Mr. Bone," replied Mrs. Green. "I was thinking it's such a nice day, I might take the children down to the river for a picnic lunch."
"What a splendid idea. Can I interest you in some nice pies to take along?
The pies on the counter are made with salmon in the one side and honey in the other." Then pointing to another tray in the window he said, "The ones in the window are made with meat in the one side and apple pie in the other."
Mrs. Green threw up her hands in delight, "Well, how very clever Mr. Bone.
A whole meal all in one. I know my Basil and Sage just adore honey, and I love apples. I think we shall try some of each!"
So Mrs. Green bought four pies, two with salmon and honey for sage and Basil, two with meat and apple pie for herself and her husband Herbie.

As it was Wednesday Herbie Green closed the shop at lunch time and took the afternoon off. He had tried opening the shop all day on Wednesdays, but hardly anyone ever came into the shop to buy anything in the afternoons. So he had decided not to do it again. Except at Christmas when people came in to buy trees and holly and mistletoe. Besides, he worked hard for the rest of the week and need a break. He usually pottered around in the garden, but Sage and Basil were on holiday from school, so he went with them for a picnic by the river.

It was a wonderful picnic. The pies from Mr. Bone were eaten and pronounced absolutely delicious.
"This honey pie is brilliant" said Basil, who did everything wrong , starting with the honey end and being a little disappointed to find the salmon later. Mr. and Mrs. Green relaxed on the river bank while the children ran around playing tag and following bees to see if they could find more honey.
"Be careful Basil, don't run so fast! " and "Keep away from the edge Sage" was all that could be heard for a while. Then Mr. Green took Basil fishing while Sage went to pick flowers, leaving Mrs. Green dozing in the sun. All was peaceful and quiet except for the droning of the bees and the hum of the river flowing by.

Then an enormous SPLOSSHHH! woke up a very startled Mrs. Green and had Sage running from the bushes, dropping flowers everywhere, to see what had happened.
It was Basil of course.

Well, Mr. Green had been showing him how to throw the line into the river, and Basil had got it all the wrong way round as usual. He tried so hard he left the line on the bank and threw himself in the water.
(Which is probably as good a way of catching a fish as any, but don't tell anyone I said so.) Now he was clinging to the branch of a tree, which was thoughtfully hanging in exactly the right place over the river. Mrs. Green was beside herself with worry, wringing her hands and pacing up and down on the same three feet of ground, (or should that be ninety one point five centimetres now, one likes to be correct in these things) and wearing a patch out on the grass. Sage was running up and down laughing her silly head off at the sight of poor Basil clinging to the branch. Mr. Green was cursing him for being such a twit, and nobody was doing anything constructive to help the poor lad.

Fortunately at that moment help arrived in the form of Willie Maykit the odd job man. He was rowing back across the river from Bumbly forest, where he sometimes worked and collected wood for building.
"What are you doing there Basil, old chap?" he called, trying hard not to join in Sages' laughter.
(Because it has to be said, the little bear did look very funny spluttering and sodden. )
Willie rowed over to the forlorn little bear and helping him into the boat, sat him on top of a pile of timber, then took him to the safety of the river bank.

"Oh, my poor baby." Cried Mrs. Green.
"Thank you, thank you very much Willie" said Mr. Green, shaking Willie's hand enough to make his arm drop off.
By this time of course Sage was laughing so much she was rolling on the floor holding her stomach, and had to be told in no uncertain terms to get up and pull herself together.
(This is a very unseemly way for a bear to behave showing your knickers and everything.)
So they collected up the picnic basket and walked a sodden little Basil home to dry, where he is sitting now, under a hairdryer.

Incase you were wondering, Basil is none the worse for wear, except that his growl is not so loud any more.

Sage on the other hand has very sore sides.

Story copyright of Mary Tornabene and may not be sold or copied except with written permission.