ORSON: *Reading aloud to Paddy and Scout.* “It was the Beast. Dead! Dead? No – but hardly living; yet she could feel his heart beat faintly through his thick fur. Beauty sank down onto the dewy grass, pulled his head into her lap, and put her arms around his shaggy neck.”
PADDY: *Sighs.*
SCOUT: “What’s wrong, Paddy?”
PADDY: “Why nothing is wrong, Scout.”
SCOUT: “Then why did you sigh, Paddy.”
PADDY: “I was just sighing about the poor Beast, Scout.”
SCOUT: “Yes, poor beast indeed! Soon he is going to be transformed into a crummy old handsome prince!”
ORSON: “But Scout, that is what is supposed to happen. The Beast is really a handsome prince in disguise.”
SCOUT: “But Orson, don’t you see? The Beast is really quite nice. He doesn't have to turn into a crummy old prince to please Beauty! The Beast is beautiful as he is!”
PADDY: “Yes, we know your views about whether the Beast should become a handsome prince or not, Scout.”
SCOUT: “Of course he shouldn't become a crummy old handsome prince, Paddy! Beauty will love him as the Beast! That is who Beauty loved, not a crummy handsome prince!”
PADDY: “That is your opinion, Scout.”
SCOUT: “It is, Paddy, and it happens to be the correct one too!” *Nods affirmatively.*
ORSON: “That’s an interesting observation, Scout.”
SCOUT: “Thank you, Orson. At least you understand.” *Nods seriously.*
PADDY: “Now that you have had your say, Scout, let’s let Orson keep reading ‘Beauty and the Beast’. You are a very good narrator, Orson.”
SCOUT: “Oh yes you are, Orson!”
ORSON: “Why thank you Paddy and Scout. I haven’t been reading all that long, really. I only really learned to read just before we left Norfolk to come here, but I keep practicing. Now, where was I… oh yes…” *Finds spot in book.* “’Oh, Beast dearest, don’t die,’ she sobbed. ‘I can’t bear it if you die. I can’t live without you. It wasn’t my fault I was late – oh, believe me it wasn’t! Oh don’t die, dearest – don’t die and leave me!’ The Beast opened his sad eyes and looked at her. ‘I’m dying Beauty,’ he said in a low voice, so low she could hardly hear him. ‘You don’t love me. This is only pity. Goodbye.’”
PADDY: “Oh poor Beast!” *Tears well in eyes.*
ORSON: *Continues reading.* “’Not love you!’ cried Beauty. ‘Oh dearest, can’t you see that I am crying my eyes out? Only live and you shall see whether I love you.’ Then the Beast once again put the old question to her, very faintly and very hopelessly. ‘Beauty, will you marry me?’”
SCOUT: “Does she say yes, Orson?” *Excited.*
PADDY: “Shhh, Scout!” *Puts paw to mouth.* “Let Orson finish the story.”
ORSON: *Keeps reading.* “’Ah!’ said Beauty. ‘That I will!’ And she tightened her arms around his neck and kissed him between the eyes.”
SCOUT: “And then, he stayed a handsome Beast forever and he and Beauty lived happily ever after! The end!” *Nods emphatically.*
PADDY: “No he doesn’t, Scout! He is transformed back to his true state as a handsome and dignified, noble prince!”
ORSON: *Skims ahead a few lines and checks.* “It’s true Scout. Paddy is right. He is transformed into a handsome prince again. It says so, right here.” *Points paw to writing in his book.*
SCOUT: “Oh pooh!” *Folds paws across his chest.* “One day we will read it and the correct ending will happen, and the Beast will remain a beautiful Beast!” *Shakes head and sighs.*
PADDY: “Oh, hullo everyone! Scout and I are listening to Orson reading one of my favourite faerie tales, Beauty and the Beast, from the special 1920s book that Orson received for Christmas from Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear.” *Looks up.* “Why you ask? Well, because today is International Tell a Faerie Tale Day. As you can see, we have a lovely afternoon tea and lots of faerie tales to read.”
ORSON: “What is International Tell a Faerie Tale Day, Paddy? I have never heard of it before.”
PADDY: “Well Orson, International Tell a Faerie Tale Day is an informal observance held on the 26th of February every year. It provides a perfect opportunity to read faerie tales.”
SCOUT: “But Paddy, we read faerie tales all the time, not just on the 26th of February.”
PADDY: “I know Scout, but some adults need an excuse to reconnect with their inner child.”
SCOUT: “Daddy certainly doesn't! He reads as many faerie tales as we do.”
PADDY: “More than us I think, Scout.”
ORSON: “I agree, Paddy!”
SCOUT: “Oh that's sad that others don't read faerie tales as much as we do. They are missing out on so much! They are beautiful, oh except when the Big Bad Wolf gobbled up Little Red Riding Hood and that was the end of the story, or when that no-good-break-and-enter-home-wrecking Goldilocks broke into the home of the Three Bears and caused wilful damage with criminal intent, and when the Beast gets turned back into a crummy old handsome prince when Beauty fell in love with him as the Beast!”
PADDY: “Well, whether you think they are beautiful or not, Scout, Orson, Daddy and I encourage you all, even if you don’t have bears or children, or your children are not at home or grown up, to not miss the opportunity to reacquaint yourself with faerie tales. It’s perfectly acceptable to read faerie tale books alone, although I prefer reading them with Daddy, Scout and Orson. Make a cup of yummy hot chocolate, curl up in a chair and immerse yourself in the world of princes and princesses, evil witches and mischievous faeries, dragons and unicorns, talking animals and magical plants.”
SCOUT: “Hot chocolate Paddy? Oooooohhh! I'd love a hot chocolate.”
PADDY: “We have some hot tea right here in our Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe teapot, Scout.”
SCOUT: “I could have a hot chocolate too, Paddy. Then I'd live happily ever after.”
PADDY: “For at least an hour or so until you get a grumbly tummy, Scout.”
SCOUT: *Giggles.* “Grumbly tummy Paddy! Grumbly tummy., Orson” *Rubs tummy vigorously.*
This beautiful nursery rhyme tea set was made in England by the Shell China Company in the 1930s. It features six cups, saucers and plates as well as a teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl. Each piece is gilt edged and decorated and feature different nursery rhymes including: "Ding Dong Dell Pussy’s in the Well", "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe", "Old King Cole", "Pat a Cake Pat a Cake Baker’s Man", "Little Tommy Tittlemouse", "See Saw Margery Daw" and &This Little Pig Went to Market" amongst others. The set I acquired from England, and it is a sister set to a 1920s Shell China Company nursery rhyme tea set and a 1920s faerie tale tea set. There are also doll (bear) sized tea spoons which are sterling silver salt spoons, and the sugar nips in the "Little Tommy Tittlemouse" sugar bowl are Eighteenth Century sterling silver.
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.
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.