Two Bears Under One Roof

Prince Bear and Pauper Bear were loved and cuddled, living in harmony ever after.

Every bed-time story has to come to an end, for children need to sleep early; and end with happiness, for children need to have a sweet dream.

However, the story about the bears and the boy did not end, at least not so soon.

Three years had passed, leaving little trace on the bears. Their friendship did not wear off, even though the boy had grown up and was already a primary school student.

Every morning before he left for his school, he would kiss Prince Bear and Pauper Bear and said "Good bye" to each of them.

However, such a heart-warming scene did not last long.

"Ring...." the phone rang. The boy's mother laid down her work and rushed to the phone.

"Good afternoon, may I speak to Mrs. Smith?"

"Speaking..."

"I am Janet, your son's class teacher. I would like to discuss with you about your son's behaviour."

"What's wrong with my son?" His mother started to panic, for she felt that she had neglected her son due to heavy workload.

"Sorry, Mrs. Smith. I think that your son has difficulty communicating with other people. He has no friend in the school. And he hardly speak anything during the class. This morning he confessed that his best friends are two teddy bears in his room. We were led to believe that your son is autistic. I recommend a consultation with a pediatrician. If it is found to be true, I am sorry to tell you that your son might have to transfer to a suitable school where he can receive proper attention."

"Ok. Thank you, very much".

"After all, teddy bears are viewed as effeminate toys. I hold no prejudice against your son. However, I am worried that your son might be the object of ridicule among his peers if no action is taken."

"I will discuss with his father. Thank you."

His mother sat on the floor and cried.

Prince Bear & Pauper Bear overheard the conversation. They became very worried.

Suddenly, the boy's mother stood up and strode into the boy's room. Before the bears could make any response, she grabbed them, clung them so tightly that the Prince Bear was almost choked to death.

Quickly, she opened the dustbin, dumped them into the deep abyss and close the lid.

Then, it was complete darkness.

"Hello, are you there?" Pauper Bear broke the silence.

"Hello...", it shouted again.

"Arrrrr....... It stinks." Prince Bear finally responded, it asked in dismay, "So what's now?"

"I guessed that's the end of our life..."

"No..... I refused to accept." Prince Bear wept.

"My friend. Come to think of it, we have lived a good life, haven't we?" Pauper Bear tried to console Prince Bear.

Then Pauper Bear started to sing

I was just a little Teddy
Ugly and lonely
Then the boy came in a Christmas time
Filling me with memory, love and a new life

But I am now in a dustbin
Dirty and stinking
Death is near but I am reluctant to go
Perhaps I am only dreaming in the shadows I do not know

Will the boy save me from this hole
before I take the last breath of my soul?

Let us not weep
Let us not sleep
Lest we waste our last minutes.

Prince Bear said to Pauper Bear, "the boy will save us."

"Yes, he will." Pauper Bear replied thoughtfully and doubtfully.

Suddenly, the dustbin was opened again.

Their hope was rekindled. "Oh saviour!" They screamed tacitly.

Then they raised their heads. It was a beautiful sky. The glittering starlight and bright moonlight made them realised that it was already night.

However, they did not see the boy. Instead, it was the garbage collector.

They had to give in.

Not far away, the boy's parents were scolding and shouting deliriously. His sob was loud and clear.