Teddy Bear

"You go on, sweetie, go into the shop." "But, why aren't you coming, mom?" "We haven't paid this week's rent yet, but he won't mention it, if you go in alone, so go on," she urges her daughter. The little girl enters the shop hesitantly and shy, carrying a teddy bear in her arms.

That's odd, such a small child, coming alone, Mr. Gold thinks. "How can I help you?" he asks as friendly as possible. "It's my teddy bear," the girl with honey colored hair answers. "The toy store couldn't fix it." "Let's have a look, shall we?" Mr. Gold takes the battered teddy bear and evaluates it. It is in an awful state. Stains and broken limps. "He fell out of the bunk bed yesterday, and this morning I spilled some cereal on it," she voluntarily admits. "Not his best week I guess," Mr. Gold replies. "No," the girl says sadly.

"Tell you what," he answers, bending slightly forward over the counter, "you leave your teddy bear with me, for a week or so, and perhaps I can heal him. Give him new fur, or a nice coat. Mend his broken bones. Would you like that?" "Oh, yes, thank you, thank you so much." The girl starts to smile and leaves the shop hopping cheerfully.