When the first Bear Rebels adventure story came into print with Bears in the Woods, one of the questions I get asked most often is: how did you become their Mummy Bear?
To tell the truth, it all crept up on me. Teddy bears have a way of sneaking up on people. One moment, there were no teddy bears in our place. Then before I realized what was happening, there were furry ones getting underfoot everywhere and up to mischief. Ever notice how they manage to turn up everywhere?
The Bear Rebels' story goes back years and years ago. It all started with their Number One bear. I was shopping at David Jones department store, which was located in Warringah Mall, on the Northern Beaches in Sydney. My arms were full of two maxi floral dresses, as I stepped up to the sales counter. But the moment it was my turn, the woman serving there stepped away for a moment. Don’t you hate that when it happens?
I idly perused the odds and sods lying around before me. A discarded blouse, black sticky tape dispenser, measuring tape…a light brown teddy bear perched on the edge of the counter, leaning against the cash register. Bright brown eyes under bushy eyebrows looked up at me.
He had an expectant look, as if saying: “Well, it’s about time. C’mon, let’s go home.”
Not being a collector of teddy bears at the time, I gave him a doubtful look. There was a busload of bearitude there. Should I, or shouldn’t I? Full of apologies, the cashier came bustling back, and began to ring up the dresses. She folded them neatly, and took out a big black-and-white shopping bag with the distinctive David Jones logo.
“Excuse me,” I asked. “Is that teddy bear for sale, or part of the display?”
She lifted him up for me to have a closer look. “Yes, he’s for sale. Shall I put him in the bag?”
I made my decision.
Julia Yeoh
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