ORSON: *Reading.* "The Queen disguised herself and went to see Snow White at the Seven Dwarves home, selling pretty combs. 'Surely there can be no harm in buying a comb,' thought the pretty princess."
SCOUT: "Don't take it Snow White!" *Concerned.*
PADDY: "Err... Scout." *Tentative.*
SCOUT: "That's the evil Queen, and she has poisoned the comb!"
PADDY: "I don't think Snow White can hear you."
SCOUT: "What do you mean, Paddy? She has to hear me!"
PADDY: "It's a faerie tale Orson is reading."
SCOUT: "Oh!" *Sighs.* "Oh, Orson had me so captivated with his reading, I thought I was there, right next to Snow White! You are such a good reader of faerie tales, dear Orson!"
PADDY: "I agree, Scout. Orson is a very good narrator.”
BENJAMIN: "Yes you are, dear Orson. Don't you think so too, Edgar?"
EDGAR: "Oh I do! The story is so exciting!"
ORSON: “Why thank you Paddy, Scout, Benjamin and Edgar. I haven’t been reading all that long, really. I only really learned to read just before we left Norfolk to come and here, but I keep practicing. Practice makes perfect."
PADDY: "Oh it does, Orson."
SCOUT: "Well, it might for Orson, but it doesn't for Snow White! She hasn't learned from when the evil Queen laced her stays so tightly that she couldn't breathe! Doesn't she ever learn?"
PADDY: "Well, some people need to practice more than others to be perfect, Scout!"
SCOUT: "Well, Snow White should know better! The dwarves told her not to open the door to strangers, but she has done it twice, and both times, it was the evil Queen!"
EDGAR: "What's going to happen to Snow White, Benjamin?" *Puts paw to mouth in concern.* "I'm worried about her."
BENJAMIN: "I'm not entirely sure, Edgar. Perhaps you'd better ask Orson, since he is reading the story."
EDGAR: "Oh, good idea, Benjamin! Orson? Orson!"
ORSON: "Yes Edgar?"
EDGAR: "Orson, can you please keep reading the story? I want to know what happens to Snow White."
ORSON: "Oh, yes! Now, where was I… oh yes…” *Finds spot in book and continues reading.* "Snow White purchased a comb, but no sooner had she fixed it in her hair than she fell down into a deep swoon, for the comb was poisoned,"
PADDY and BENJAMIN: *Gasp.*
EDGAR: "Oh no!" *Puts paw back to mouth.*
ORSON: *Reading.* "And the Queen went back to the castle, well pleased."
SCOUT: "So much for practice making perfect! Snow White needs more practice to be perfect!" *Nods seriously.* "Let's hope the dwarfs hurry home and rescue her again!"
PADDY: "Please keep reading, Orson."
ORSON: *Reading.* "But again the little dwarfs came home just in time to save their darling's life. They drew the comb from Snow White's hair and presently she revived."
EDGAR: "Oh thank goodness!" *Wipes forehead with paw.*
SCOUT: "Well, I guess Snow White has another chance to make practice perfect!"
BENJAMIN: "Please keep reading, Orson."
PADDY: "Oh yes, please do, Orson."
EDGAR: "I want to know what happens to Snow White next."
SCOUT: "I want to see whether she really does make practice perfect!"
Orson is reading my first edition copy of "Little Snow White and other Fairy Stories" illustrated by H. Robinson and E. Stuart Hardy, published by Ernest Nister in London in the 1880s.
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.
Handmade at Merrythought in England from warm-gold tousled mohair plush, Edgar is a cheerful companion who has terracotta pure cotton velvet paws, and wears a delightful floral cotton bow tie. He is number 2 of a limited worldwide edition of 200.
Benjamin is made by Merrythought in England too. A friendly character, he has been handmade from soft, caramel-coloured mohair plush featuring a chocolate-coloured base that beautifully complements his pure wool felt paws. He wears a traditional, satin-lined waistcoat made from the finest British tweed and secured with brass studs. He is number 110 of a limited worldwide edition of 150.
