A TEDDY BEARS PICNIC

Tom was a little boy of only five years old. Today was a very special day for him as it was his birthday. So, his Grandpa decided to take him down to the woods and show him something special. 'Come on Tom,' he said 'I'm taking you down to the woods to show you a big surprise!' 'What surprise Grandpa?' asked curious little Tom. 'Now, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?' said the old man. 'No, I guess it wouldn't Grandpa.' replied the little boy. Then the two of them walked from the house on the old footpath down to the woods, where the cypresses and tall pine trees grew. They passed the brook and walked on the stones over the little stream. The water was clear and fresh, and cobbled joyfully through the stones and the rocks, finding its own way downstream with a happy, bubbling sound. They entered the deep, dark forest and soon came across an old oak tree, and much to Tom's joy and delight, they found a group of little teddy bears having a lovely picnic under its outspread branches. Tom was overjoyed and rushed over to greet them all. But the teddy bears were affronted at such a sudden approach of the little lad, that one of them named Ben immediately objected to the old man. 'Grandpa, we told you not to bring anybody here, as it was a place of magic and so are we, not to be disturbed by people at all.' 'That's right,' said another Teddybear named George 'no-one has the right to disturb our lovely little picnic in our dwelling of magic down in the woods!' Another one called Sam echoed their sentiment and all the little bears shouted in unison; 'No humans allowed!' 'But Ben,' said Grandpa, 'Today is a very special day for the little one, as it is his fifth birthday, and at that age everyone is allowed to share in a little magic. Now, aren't they?' Ben nodded his head in agreement at the old man's explanation, and so did George, Sam and all the tiny little bears. 'Very well,' agreed Ben, who was obviously their leader, 'But on one condition, only for today and he never tells a soul. Not in his whole life. 'Oh, of course he won't!' laughed Grandpa and winked at little Tom. 'I will tell no-one of our picnic down here in the woods, not ever, I promise.' said little Tom, who was very happy that they all consented to let him stay and enjoy their party with them. They all had a lovely morning and enjoyed tiny cakes and a lovely cup of tea in little teacups, soon becoming the best of friends. They laughed and played underneath the old oak tree, and the little boy had never had so much fun his life. But soon the old man said, 'It is getting late, and I think it is time for you and me to get going Tom. They'll be wondering what happened to us back at the house.' 'Oh Grandpa, do we have to?' said Tom who was still having the time of his life. 'I'm afraid so,' said the old man, 'Now greet all you new friends and thank them for a splendid picnic. They were such kind hosts.' 'Thank you, Ben and George and Sam; and all of you for a lovely day,' said Tom 'I will never forget a single one of you!' The little bears made joyful sounds of laughter and pleasure as they greeted the little boy and they went 'Bye!' 'Bye!' 'Bye!' and laughed. 'Come again soon and remember our secret. Never tell a soul.' The old man and the little boy followed the path back home, and when they got there Tom immediately began telling his mother and father of his wonderful new friends down in the woods, and their magic little picnic. 'I thought you weren't supposed to tell anyone?' said Grandpa with a bit of a frown. 'It's O.K. ' said the little boy, 'No-one believes me in any case. They think that I am imagining the whole thing or making it all up. Grandpa just laughed and said, 'That will teach you never to break a promise to your magical little friends.' And they all lived happily ever after!