Teddy Bear (4 Johnny and all to read)

Discussion in 'U.K.' started by ArtLoveMusic, May 23, 2004.

  1. ArtLoveMusic

    ArtLoveMusic Senior Member

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    Johnny i found this in one of my books and thought u might appreciate it :)

    Teddy Bear
    A bear, however hard he tries,
    Grows tubby without exercise.
    Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
    Which is not to be wondered at;
    He gets what exercise he can
    By falling off the ottoman,
    But generally seems to lack
    The energy to clamber back.

    Now tubbiness is just the thing
    Which gets a fellow wondering;
    And Teddy worried lots about
    The fact that he was rather stout.
    He thought: "If only I were thin!
    But how does anyone begin?"
    He thought: "It really isn't fair
    To grudge one exercise and air."

    For many weeks he pressed in vain
    His nose against the window-pane,
    And envied those who walked about
    Reducing their unwanted stout.
    None of the people he could see
    "Is quite" (he said) "as fat as me!"
    Then, with a still more moving sigh,
    "I mean" (he said) "as fat as I!

    One night it happened that he took
    A peep at an old picture-book,
    Wherein he came across by chance
    The picture of a King of France
    (A stoutish man) and, down below,
    These words: "King Louis So and So,
    Nicknamed 'The Handsome!'" There he sat,
    And (think of it!) the man was fat!

    Our bear rejoiced like anything
    To read about this famous King,
    Nicknamed "The Handsome." There he sat,
    And certainly the man was fat.
    Nicknamed "The Handsome." Not a doubt
    The man was definitely stout.
    Why then, a bear (for all his tub)
    Might yet be named "The Handsome Cub!"

    "Might yet be named." Or did he mean
    That years ago he "might have been"?
    For now he felt a slight misgiving:
    "Is Louis So and So still living?
    Fashions in beauty have a way
    Of altering from day to day.
    Is 'Handsome Louis' with us yet?
    Unfortunately I forget."

    Next morning (nose to window-pane)
    The doubt occurred to him again.
    One question hammered in his head:
    "Is he alive or is he dead?"
    Thus, nose to pane, he pondered; but
    The lattice window, loosely shut,
    Swung open. With one startled "Oh!"
    Our Teddy disappeared below.

    There happened to be passing by
    A plump man with a twinkling eye,
    Who, seeing Teddy in the street,
    Raised him politely to his feet,
    And murmured kindly in his ear
    Soft words of comfort and of cheer:
    "Well, well!" "Allow me!" "Not at all."
    "Tut-tut! A very nasty fall."

    Our Teddy answered not a word;
    It's doubtful if he even heard.
    Our bear could only look and look:
    The stout man in the picture-book!
    That 'handsome' King - could this be he,
    This man of adiposity?
    "Impossible," he thought. "But still,
    No harm in asking. Yes I will!"

    "Are you," he said,"by any chance
    His Majesty the King of France?"
    The other answered, "I am that,"
    Bowed stiffly, and removed his hat;
    Then said, "Excuse me," with an air,
    "But is it Mr Edward Bear?"
    And Teddy, bending very low,
    Replied politely, "Even so!"

    They stood beneath the window there,
    The King and Mr Edward Bear,
    And, handsome, if a trifle fat,
    Talked carelessly of this and that....
    Then said His Majesty, "Well, well,
    I must get on," and rang the bell.
    "Your bear, I think," he smiled. "Good-day!"
    And turned, and went upon his way.

    A bear, however hard he tries,
    Grows tubby without exercise.
    Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
    Which is not to be wondered at.
    But do you think it worries him
    To know that he is far from slim?
    No, just the other way about -
    He's proud of being short and stout.

    AA Milne
     
  2. Enonemouse

    Enonemouse Happy Wanderer

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    That is really sweet and sound like something I want to print out!!


    Love & Giggles
    EnonEmouse
     
  3. Dandelion_Blood

    Dandelion_Blood Gremlin

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    Aw... I wanted to hug that little stout bear. He sounds snuggly!
    Lovely poem made me smile!:)
     
  4. random_spontaneosity

    random_spontaneosity Member

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    i love that story/poem. i used to have it. but then my sister did and then it got put into some craity box or jumble sale with others which i used to love. :(

    that story/poem is so great.
     

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