A bear named Andrew

Andrew bear is all ready and packed for his long trip to his new home. Tucked in with him is some chocolate just to make sure he does not get hungry.


He has been made with a lot of love and now he is ready for his big adventure.


He is carefully weighed and checked in at the local post office. And so begins a lot of movement - being put on carts and trucks and even an airplane.


He cannot see too much because he is in his box but he knows when he is flying because his little ears feel quite uncomfortable. He does feel better when he chews on some chocolate.


He is eagerly awaited at the end of his journey but days and weeks pass and no bear arrives. Where could he be? Frantic e-mails are sent back and forth.


*****


Not too far from his new home - in fact at the local doughnut shop - a consultation is going on among three friends - Andrew and Monica and Tess.


Andrew is looking particularly concerned for it is his namesake Andrew who has gone missing.


Tess is explaining the seriousness of the situation. Both Monica and Andrew are all ears.


"We have to check out both ends of this trip to see whether we can find any clues to what might have happened to Andrew bear. Monica and I are assigned to do this work. Andrew - you will have to trace the bear’s movements since he left home."


*****


Monica and Tess move very quickly to the bear maker’s home. All seems to be in order but they have to check out the situation for themselves.


The bear maker is a kindly person who likes to write stories about 3 angels as well as make teddy bears and she very much enjoys doing both.


They are soon convinced that nothing has gone wrong at this end of the trip.


*****


Now they have out Andrew bear’s new home. All is in order there too.


There are other animals in residence there but they are all well taken care of:
- Ruthie Rabbit - a motherly type of bunny who spends a lot of time sleeping but that is not surprising because she is a pyjama bag
- a retired Panda who says that his name is Panda Bear. He looks well loved and worn even though some of his stuffing is coming out.


There are pictures around the house of other animals and some of them are horses. Monica looks interested but Tess is pleased that she does not have to meet them in person.


*****


All seems to be in order at both locations so they retire to the doughnut shop to have some mocha latte and a jellied doughnut. They begin to wonder how Andrew is making out.


*****


Andrew is busy checking out the situation at the post office and the airport. He meets some sniffer dogs but they are no use for tracking teddy bears but Andrew still has a friendly word and a pat for each one that he meets.


When Andrew checks the flight log for Andrew bear his passport was in order but his destination was not. Why would a small bear get sidetracked and go to New York City? Such a big city and such a small bear could easily get lost.


Andrew arrives at JFK airport and when he does he has to sit down and think about his next move. He is drinking a coffee and having a honey glazed doughnut for that is what he thinks a bear would like.


He notices on the wall a poster for an exhibit of toys - especially bears at the New York Public Library. Suddenly he knows where Andrew bear has gone and why he is in New York.


*****


Does anyone know what the attraction is for teddy bears at the New York Public Library?


*****


Andrew quickly makes his way to the New York Public Library and a very special exhibit. A certain bear and his friends have been living here for some time.


He finds Andrew bear sitting outside the display case having a serious conversation with Winnie the Pooh about life as a teddy bear.


"Hello, my name is Andrew," says Andrew and then Andrew bear knows he has been found and he will be safe. He was almost wondering how he was going to get to his new home.


*****


So does Andrew go on a plane with Andrew bear firmly seated on his lap or are there are other ways for an angel and a small bear to get more quickly to their destination?


In no time at all, Andrew and Andrew bear are at the doughnut shop.


Tess and Monica are ready to give Andrew and Andrew bear a big hug or a little hug. After being refreshed by some hot chocolate and a honey glazed doughnut, they are ready to deliver Andrew bear to his new home.


Vicki is certainly ready to make Andrew bear welcome and to thank the three angels for bringing him safely home.


The three go off humming and singing a favourite teddy bear tune - The Teddy Bears’ Picnic!