Paddington | by Michael Bond

Hey kiddos, it's story time with Aunt Claire and Bo the bear. Today's story is another one that Bo chose because of course we have to have another book about a bear and this one is called Paddington. It's written by Michael Bond and it's illustrated by R.W. Alley. Mr. and Mrs. Brown first met Paddington on a railway platform. In fact, that was how he came to have such an unusual name for a bear because Paddington was the name of the station. The Browns were waiting to meet their daughter Judy when Mr. Brown noticed something small and furry near the left luggage office. It looks like a bear, he said. A bear? repeated Mrs. Brown. In Paddington station? Don't be silly Henry, there can't be. But Mr. Brown was right. It was sitting on an old leather suitcase marked Wanted on Voyage and as they drew near it stood up and politely raised its hat. Good afternoon, it said. May I help you? It's very kind of you, said Mr. Brown but as a matter of fact we were wondering if we could help you. You're a very small bear, said Mrs. Brown. Where are you from? The bear looked around carefully before replying. Darkest Peru? I'm not really supposed to be here at all. I'm a stowaway. You don't mean to say you've come all the way from South America on your own? exclaimed Mrs. Brown. Whatever did you do for food? Unlocking the suitcase, the bear took out an almost empty glass jar. I ate marmalade, it said. Bears like marmalade. Mrs. Brown looked at the label around the bear's neck. It said, quite simply, please look after this bear. Thank you. Oh Henry, she cried, we can't leave him here all by himself. There's no knowing what might happen to him. Can't he come home and stay with us? Stay with us? repeated Mr. Brown nervously. He looked down at the bear. Uh, would you like that? He asked. That is, he added hastily, if you have nothing else planned. Oh yes, replied the bear. I would like that very much. I've nowhere to go and everyone seems in such a hurry. That settles it, said Mrs. Brown. Now you must be thirsty after your journey. Mr. Brown can get you some tea while I go and meet our daughter Judy. But Mary, said Mr. Brown, we don't even know its name. Mrs. Brown thought for a moment. I know, she said. We'll call him Paddington after the station. Paddington, the bear tested it several times to make sure. It sounds very important. Mr. Brown tried it out next. Follow me Paddington, he said. I'll take you to the snack bar. Mr. Brown was as good as his word. Paddington had never seen so many snacks on one tray and he didn't know which to try first. He was so hungry and thirsty that he climbed up onto the table to get a better look. Mr. Brown turned away, pretending he had tea with a bear at Paddington station every day of his life. Henry, cried Mrs. Brown when she arrived with Judy. What are you doing to that poor bear? Paddington jumped up to raise his hat and in his haste, he slipped on a strawberry tart, skidded on the cream and fell over backward into his cup of tea. I think we'd better go before anything else happens, said Mr. Brown. Judy took hold of Paddington's paw. Come along, she said. We'll take you home and you can meet Mrs. Bird and brother Jonathan. Mr. Brown led the way to a waiting taxi. Number 32 Windsor Gardens, please, he said. The driver stared at Paddington. Bears is extra, he growled. Sticky bears is twice as much and make sure none of it comes off on my interior. It was clean when I set out this morning. The sun was shining as they drove out of the station and there were cars and big red buses everywhere. Paddington waved to some people waiting at a bus stop and several of them waved back. It was all very friendly. Paddington tapped the taxi driver on his shoulder. It isn't a bit like darkest Peru, he announced. The man jumped at the sound of Paddington's voice. Cream, he said bitterly, cream and jam all over my coat. He slid the little window behind him shut. Oh dear, Henry, murmured Mrs. Brown. I wonder if we're doing the right thing. Fortunately, before anyone had time to answer, they arrived at Windsor Gardens and Judy helped Paddington onto the pavement. Now you're going to meet Mrs. Bird, she said. She looks after us. She's a bit fierce at times, but she doesn't really mean it. I'm sure you'll like her. Paddington felt his knees begin to wobble. I'm sure I shall if you say so, he replied. The thing is, will she like me? Goodness gracious, exclaimed Mrs. Bird. What have you got there? It's not a what, said Judy. It's a bear called Paddington and he's coming to stay with us. A bear, said Mrs. Bird as Paddington raised his hat. Well, he has good manners. I'll say that for him. I'm afraid I stepped on a jam tart by mistake, said Paddington. I can see that, said Mrs. Bird. You'd better have a bath before you're very much older. Judy can turn it on for you. I dare say you'll be wanting some marmalade too. I think she likes you, whispered Judy. Paddington had never been in a bathroom before. While the water was running, he made himself at home. First of all, he tried writing his new name on the steam on the mirror. Then he used Mr. Brown's shaving cream to draw a map of Peru on the floor. It wasn't until a drip landed on his head that he remembered what he was supposed to be doing. He soon discovered that getting into a bath is one thing, but it's quite another matter getting out again, especially when it's full of soapy water. Paddington tried calling out, help. At first in a quiet voice so as not to disturb anyone, then very loudly, help. When that didn't work, he began bailing the water out with his hat. But the hat had several holes in it, and his map of Peru soon turned into a sea of foam. Suddenly, Jonathan and Judy burst into the bathroom and lifted a dripping Paddington onto the floor. Thank goodness you're all right, cried Judy. We heard you calling out. Fancy making such a mess, said Jonathan admiringly. You should have pulled the plug out. Oh, said Paddington. I never thought of that. When Paddington came downstairs, he looked so clean that no one could possibly be cross with him. His fur was all soft and silky, his nose gleamed, and his paws had lost all traces of the jam and cream. The Browns made room for him in a small armchair, and Mrs. Bird brought him a pot of tea and a plate of hot butter toast and marmalade. Now, said Mrs. Brown, you must tell us all about yourself. I'm sure you must have had lots of adventures. I have, said Paddington earnestly. Things are always happening to me. I'm that sort of a bear. He settled back in the armchair. I was brought up by my Aunt Lucy in darkest Peru, he began, but she had to go into a home for retired bears in Lima. He closed his eyes thoughtfully and a hush fell over the room as everyone waited expectantly. After a while, when nothing happened, they began to get restless. Mr. Brown tried coughing. Then he reached across and poked Paddington. Well, I never, he said. I do believe he's fast asleep. After all that's happened to him, said Mrs. Brown, is it any wonder? That's it for now, but it's not the last story that we are going to read together. Bo and I love each and every one of you, and we can't wait to see you back here next time.