wolstencroft

Wolstencroft really wasn't such a bad name after all they both decided as they whirled around the Christmas tree at the front of the store.

"So am I, " replied Wolstencroft and, although he tried very hard to stop it, a tear rolled down his furry cheek.

And when his daddy said yes, danced around the store with Wolstencroft, almost colliding with other shoppers as he did so.

And just like Wolstencroft the bear, he was beginning to hate his name.

His name was Wolstencroft. And he was no ordinary bear.

Wolstencroft looked very smart in a brown plaid waistcoat with a gold satin bow tie at his neck.

Nobody bought Wolstencroft that day. Or the next day. Or the day after that.

Wolstencroft looked very smart in a brown waistcoat with a gold satin bow tie at his neck.

Wolstencroft thought very carefully, mulling over each name in his mind.

It was she, and not Wolstencroft, who went to a new home the next day.

Attached to the tie was a tag with his name written in bold, black letters: Wolstencroft.

"My you are a handsome bear, " Rita told Wolstencroft after the store had closed for the night.

Wolstencroft felt sad and lonely sitting there all by himself on the shelf that was high above the Christmas cards.

Then she began reading out the names she thought might suit Wolstencroft.

But, of course, Wolstencroft didn't care. Because no hug is too big for a teddy bear.

In fact, all through that entire year, which felt very long indeed to Wolstencroft, nobody took him home to love and to hug him.

"Wolstencroft, " the teacher would call out. "Will you recite the alphabet for us today? "

"I wouldn't want to change it, " Wolstencroft declared.