Pumpkin and the Polar Bear
Pumpkin and the Polar Bear
by Lynda Keen
Once upon a time in Liverpool there was a baby Polar Bear. He was all white and was lying on something white and wet and cold. He knew the white and wet and cold something was snow. And he knew it was white and wet and cold. Nobody had ever told him he was a Polar Bear so he thought he was snow, too.
Do you like being wet and cold? he asked the snow. I don't.
The snow didn't answer.
I don't like being wet and cold, thought the Polar Bear. Why am I lying here?
And he looked round. He could see a long way and everywhere he looked was white. Now he felt unhappy and lonely as well as wet and cold.
I want my Mummy, he wailed.
Mummy? He remembered her. She was warm and cuddly and always with him.
Mummy, he said.
Mummy, he called.
Mummy, he shouted.
She didn't answer. The snow didn't answer. Nobody answered.
He thought, that's why I'm cold, because she isn't with me. Then he cried for a little while.
What are you crying for, little Polar Bear, a soft furry voice asked, a voice that rolled its rrrs ...
The little bear looked up and saw a cat. He stopped crying in surprise. He stared at the cat.
What's your name? he asked.
Pumpkin, answered the cat. What's yours?
Snow, said the bear.
And why were you crying, Snow?
Snow started crying again.
I want my Mummy, he sobbed. She's gone and left me all by myself.
Where has she gone? asked Pumpkin.
I don't know.
Well, then, we'd better go and look for her. Come on, come with me.
When Pumpkin had gone a few yards, he saw that the bear was not with him. He looked round. There was Snow, still sitting in the same place. Pumpkin went back.
Aren't you coming? he asked.
I don't move like you, doombrain, said Snow. Even I know snow can only fall downwards from the sky then it stays still lying on the ground until it melts.
Then even you should know that you're not snow at all but a Polar Bear and can move as easily as me, laughed Pumpkin. Come on.
Really? shouted Snow the Polar Bear, amazed and thrilled to find he was a Polar Bear.
He leapt up and ran after Pumpkin. He jumped, hopped, danced and even did some head-over-heels, he was so pleased to try out moving.
All this jumping soon made him warm.
Do you know where my Mummy is? he asked Pumpkin.
I expect she just nipped out to the shop. Where does she do her shopping?
Nevins.
So they went to Nevins and there sure enough was Snow's Mummy just coming out through the checkout.
She invited Pumpkin to tea and they had fishfingers and chips.
