Story of a Plush Bear-Laura Lee Hope

A SNOWBALL FIGHT down swirled the white flakes blowing this way and that it was snowing furiously in north pole land and even the immense workshop of santa claus was almost buried in white how the wind howled it whistled down the chimneys and blew the sparks about whew how cold it is cried a wax doll who did not have any shoes on for she was not yet quite finished what makes such a breeze in here and she shivered as she pulled up over her legs a blanket of plush cloth from which santa claus and his men made teddy bears it is cold said a celluloid doll who was lying on the workbench next to the wax toy someone must have left a window open left a window open there are three or four windows open gleefully shouted a fuzzy woolen boy doll look at the snow blowing in hooray now we can have a snowball fight without going outside come on cried the woolen boy doll to the little flannel pig who had just been stuffed with cotton come on have a snowball fight all right squealed the flannel pig i'll wash your face oh how cold it is how cold it is sighed the wax doll give me more covers please somebody my feet are freezing who left the windows open here take this called a big plush bear tossing toward the wax doll a quilt he took from a bed in a playhouse that stood next to him on the work table this will keep you warm i guess some of the men who work for santa claus must have gone off and forgotten to close the windows this is just what had happened there had been a busy time in the north pole workshop of santa claus that day for it was getting near to christmas the little men like elves who built the noah's arks the toy animals the dolls and the other playthings had been as busy as bees then in the afternoon just before dark jolly old santa claus himself entered his shop the windows of which were made from crystal-clear sheets of ice what ho my merry men cried santa claus you have been working very hard stop now and have lunch for we must work overtime to-night so that we may finish a lot of toys to be taken down to earth but now i will give you a little rest though it is not five o'clock when we usually stop hooray cried the merry little men they gladly laid down their tools and put aside the half-finished toys on which they had been working half-finished dolls jumping jacks that could not yet leap jacks in boxes that could not yet spring out trains of cars that could not yet run all these were laid aside together with toys completely made so that the little men might rest themselves come to the lunch-room and get some hot chocolate and some frosted cake said santa claus and away trooped the jolly little men just who had left some of the windows open no one knew but they were open and when the big storm came in blew the snowflakes i call this real jolly said the big plush bear who had given the wax doll the bed quilt to keep her feet warm i'd like to be out in this storm but this is the next best thing hi there he called to the flannel pig look out where you're throwing snowballs you nearly hit the wax doll oh if he did that my complexion would be spoiled cried the beautiful toy who was not as yet quite finished i'll be careful promised the flannel pig don't you want to have fun in the snowball fight mr teddy bear i am not a teddy bear roared the big plush creature many people take me for one but i am not though i do look like a teddy but i am a real plush bear and when i am wound up i can move my head and my paws and i can growl listen i am wound up now there was a whirring sound inside the plush bear as the clockwork wheels began to turn and soon his head moved slowly from side to side he raised his paws and lowered them and out of his red mouth came a growling voice saying to be sure i'll join the snowball fight hooray cried the woolen boy doll now for some fun for though the plush bear had spoken with a growl he was not at all cross that was just his way he was really most jolly though he had a very wise look on his plush face as though always thinking of hard examples to solve and hard words to spell but though he was wise and growled when he talked the plush bear was most delightful come on we'll move over to one side where we shall not get any snow on the toys who don't like it said the plush bear with his warm coat almost like fur he loved to roll in the snow so did the flannel pig and the woolen boy doll but the wax doll who as yet had no shoes the celluloid doll who was only partly dressed and some of the others did not like the cold faster and faster the snow came down and more and more white flakes blew in through the open windows of the shop of santa claus at the north pole the plush bear caught up a paw full of the white crystals from the bench made them into a ball and tossed them at the flannel pig the flannel pig turned quickly and chased after the woolen boy doll crying i'll wash your face i'll wash your face then such fun as there was the wax doll covered up now so that her feet were no longer cold and in a safe corner where no balls could hit her watched the sport i'm glad santa claus and his men took a little resting spell said the plush bear as he quickly stooped down to get out of the way of a snowball thrown by a teddy bear almost like himself yes if they were here we could have no fun said the flannel pig and this was very true as i shall explain to you in this book and as i have told you in other books of these make-believe stories the toys could pretend to come to life move about and have fun when no one was looking at them they could talk tell jokes and stories as well as riddles play games have races and even snowball fights as they were having one now but the moment anyone looked at them or came into the room where they were playing the toys settled back straight and stiff and still they could listen to what was said but they dared not speak and they could take no part in life so it was that the toys were glad santa claus and his men had for a little while gone out of the big workshop it was a wonderful place this workshop of santa claus there many of the toys in the world were made for the boys and girls of the earth and as fast as he had several boxes of toys ready santa claus would hitch his eight reindeer to his sleigh and down to earth he would go he would leave boxes and bags of toys at different shops and warehouses whence they were sent to other places where boys and girls could see them and tell their fathers mothers sisters brothers uncles aunts or cousins what they wanted for christmas a big snowball went sailing across the room bang it struck the plush bear on his nose woof woof growled the plush bear but he was not at all cross and an instant later he sent another ball sailing toward the flannel pig oh i didn't throw that i didn't hit you squealed the flannel pig as he tried to dodge out of the way of the mass of snow tossed by the plush bear never mind growled mr bruin as the bear was sometimes called it's all in fun and fun it was at other times when they were left alone the toys in the workshop of santa claus had fun but never before at least in a long while had windows been left open so that the snow blew in it's almost as much fun as being outdoors said the plush bear again as he moved his paws and shook his head from side to side i only wish the nodding donkey could be here to enjoy it he went on who is the nodding donkey asked the wax doll as the flannel pig and the others stopped snowballing for a moment he was a toy who was born here and who lived here for some time before he was taken down to earth answered the plush bear he could nod his head and he did not have to be wound up with a key as i have to be i liked the nodding donkey very much but he and the china cat have both gone away however i suppose that is the way of things up here we are made to give happiness to boys and girls and the only way in which we can do that is to allow ourselves to be taken to earth by santa claus yes i suppose i shall be taken down some day and once more he moved his head from side to side and looked very wise indeed did the plush bear as i have said he was not a teddy bear though sometimes he looked like one he was made entirely of soft brown silky plush this plush covered from view the clock-wheels and springs inside the bear which when wound up caused him to move and growl but the wheels did not give the bear his wise look that was put on his face by one of the workmen of santa claus oh i know what we can do suddenly cried a polar bear who had just shuffled along to join the fun the polar bear was like the plush bear only a different color the plush bear being brown and the polar bear white what shall we do asked the flannel pig as he wiped some snow water out of one of his eyes let's build a big snow house such as the eskimos all about the north pole build went on the polar bear there is enough snow being blown in through the open windows to make a lot of houses and we can make a hill and slide down that too yes let's do it said the woolen doll boy but just then the plush bear shook his head and growled out be careful everybody i think someone is coming we must not be seen in motion or be heard talking keep quiet everyone each of the toys became as still as a little chocolate mouse then one of the open windows was darkened as a strange creature looked in it seemed to be a boy but he was covered with skins and fur almost like an animal only his face could be seen his hands as he rested them on the sill of the window were covered with big fur mittens oh ho nobody is here i can take one of the toys said the fur-dressed eskimo boy for such he was now is my chance i'll take that big bear the eskimo boy one of a strange unknown race that live at the north pole was just climbing in through the open window when suddenly at the far end of the shop a voice cried oh my goodness look what has happened someone left the windows open and a lot of snow has blown in quick my merry men close the windows and start work to finish the toys i hope none is spoiled and with that santa claus himself hurried into the shop chapter one chapter two of the story of a plush bear by laura lee hope this librivox recording is in the public domain the little eskimo following santa claus his little men hurried into the north pole shop they were dancing and capering about for they felt very lively after their rest and they were ready to start again making toys or finishing those half completed oh oh oh such a lot of trouble cried santa claus but even this trouble could not keep the laughter out of his jolly voice snow snow snow all over everything went on st nicholas who left the windows open so that all the flakes blew in he asked i-i guess i did santa claus replied one of the little men who wore a red cap i wanted some fresh air for i was working over the paint pots putting blue eyes in wax dolls and the paint smell almost choked me so i opened some windows i guess no great harm is done said santa claus looking about it is so cold the snow hasn't melted and it is only melted snow that spoils toys but i don't see how the snow got all over the floor as well as on the benches he added ah if santa claus had only seen the toys at play throwing snowballs all about and washing the faces of one another he would have known how it happened but even santa claus was not allowed to see the toys come to life and play get brooms sweep up the snow and close the windows called st nicholas get the shop ready to work in again for we are going to be very busy the earth children want many toys this year and we have not made nearly enough clean out the snow with brooms shovels and brushes the merry little men fell to work and soon the shop of santa claus was as it should be and as it had been before the storm the windows made of sheets of ice were pulled down and soon there was the hum of songs all through the shop for the men of santa claus sang as they worked one of the men as he pulled down the window near his bench where he was making a lot of little animals for a noah's ark looked out through the pane of ice-glass what do you see asked the workman next him oh one of those odd eskimo children all dressed in fur was right under this window answered the other little man he must have been here when the windows were open maybe he wanted to see us making toys well he won't see any better toy than the plush bear i just finished said the little man proudly no indeed agreed the second little man but does santa claus know about these little eskimo children coming around his workshop he asked oh they never bother us was the answer now we mustn't talk any more for we have many toys to make for the earth children so the little men became very busy too busy to talk though the plush bear heard them singing as they made toy after toy the plush bear and the other playthings could hear what was said though they could take no part in the talk while santa claus or any of his men were in the shop and santa claus was there now seeing that each one of his tiny elves made as many toys as possible well we certainly had a good time for a while thought the plush bear to himself what fun that snowball fight was i'd like another i didn't feel a bit cold and no wonder his coat of silk plush was as warm as the fur coat of a real bear the plush toy was looking straight at the polar bear and the big white fellow seemed to be blinking his eyes at the other bear all through the great north pole workshop of santa claus the little men were busy singing over their tasks but they could not work all night and all day as well so at last there came an hour when santa claus rang a bell and said now my merry men it is time for you to go to bed be up early in the morning to make more toys good night everybody with that he went out buttoning his fur coat about him and the workmen after putting away their tools followed santa claus and his men slept in snow castles not far from the workshop it was almost dark in the toy shop now outside the northern lights glowed faintly and inside only a little candle was left gleaming its beams reflected in some shiny gold stars that were to go on the tops of christmas trees later on hello everybody softly called the voice of the flannel pig as he peered out from the roof of a toy dog-house where he had been put by one of the workmen now we can have some more fun we must be sure every one is gone said the plush bear as he began to swing his head from side to side for he had been wound up and now the wheels and springs inside him were beginning to move oh every one is gone said the wax doll and this time they will stay away all night now we can have our usual fun is there any snow left asked the polar bear i should like to wash the face of the plush bear and i'd wash yours too laughed the plush bear but the little men swept out all the snow and closed the windows there isn't so much as an icicle left too bad sighed the polar bear well we'll have fun some other way let's see what shall we do have any of you ever seen me turn somersaults he asked after a moment's pause no can you do it asked the plush bear you should see me boasted the big white bear i don't believe anywhere in north pole land you will find a better somersault turner than i watch me the plush bear and the other toys leaned forward from the shelves and tables where they sat or stood to see what would happen if they had not been so eager to see what the polar bear was going to do some of them might have noticed a small dark figure stealing up outside the workshop of santa claus and stopping beneath one of the ice windows this little figure was that of an eskimo boy the same little chap all dressed in sealskin and fur who had looked in and almost reached through the window to take out the plush bear when he had interrupted the toys in the midst of their snowball fight ah now is my chance murmured the little eskimo boy as he stepped softly over the snow coming nearer and nearer to the workshop of santa claus if i can open a window i'll take out that plush bear cart him off to the igloo and have a lot of fun the eskimo boy lived with his father and mother in a house made of blocks of snow and ice this house was called an igloo and it takes its name from the house built by the seals in the far north the eskimos build their houses the same shape as the houses made in the ice by the seals if you cut an orange or an apple in half and put the flat side down on a table you will see exactly how an eskimo igloo is shaped oh if i can only get the plush bear thought the eskimo boy as he stepped softly nearer and nearer to the workshop of santa claus it was not very dark in north pole land just then though the sun had gone down and the long winter had set in still there were the northern lights which glowed and flickered in the sky and made enough of a gleam for the eskimo boy to see his way over the snow the snow too helped to make it less dark ever since he had seen the plush bear through the window of santa claus's workshop that day the eskimo boy had wanted the plaything so after his supper of seal fat and blubber with a piece of tallow candle which was to him what candy is to you the boy well wrapped in fur started out from his igloo all this while or at least after santa claus and his men had gone the plush bear and the other toys were having fun among themselves as i have told you the polar bear was getting ready to turn somersaults to amuse the other toys watch me now cried the polar bear as he leaned over and got ready to stand on his head say why don't you turn some somersaults the flannel pig asked of the plush bear maybe i will after he gets through the plush bear answered the eskimo boy was now at one of the windows of the shop a window which had for a pane a clear sheet of ice the eskimo boy blew his warm breath on this window pane close to the place where inside there was a catch to hold the window shut breathe the eskimo boy on the glass and his breath was warm just as yours is when you melt the frost on your window glass at home very soon the fur-clad boy had melted a hole in the ice pane after that it was easy for him to slip his hand in and turn back the window catch the eskimo boy did not know it was wrong thus to take a toy from the workshop of santa claus he only knew that he wanted the plush bear and that this was the easiest way to get it softly he raised the window after he had turned back the catch there in front of him on one of the tables stood the plush bear and many other christmas toys but the eskimo boy had eyes only for the plush bear what fun i shall have with you whispered the eskimo boy he reached forth his hand and took the wonderful plaything just at this time the polar bear was turning a somersault and the eyes of all the other toys were looking at him if they had not been looking at the polar bear they would have seen the eskimo boy open the window and had he once looked at the toys they would have had to stop talking and moving but as it happened none of the toys saw him the plush bear had just been going to clap his paws together to applaud the polar bear's trick of turning a somersault when the plush bear felt himself lifted up oh he said faintly and then he saw that he must not move or speak for the eskimo boy was looking straight at him ha now i have you mr plush bear whispered the eskimo boy and he quickly drew his arm back out of the open window taking the wonderful toy with him he slipped the plush bear under his coat of fur and away he sped over the snow sparkling in the northern lights over the snow ran the eskimo boy taking to his igloo the plush bear oh dear me thought the plush bear this is a strange adventure indeed i hoped i might go to earth in the sleigh of santa claus as the nodding donkey did but now it seems i must stay at the north pole in a snow and ice hut Oh, dear, what is going to happen to me? Out All Night there what do you think of that for a somersault cried the polar bear as he flopped over on his back can you do as well as that mr plush bear oh what a wonderful fellow the polar bear is cried the wax doll who now had on her shoes so she could walk about on the broad workshop bench quite remarkable The plush bear can do as well, squealed the flannel pig, making his nose wrinkle up in a funny way.