A Good Name for a Teddy Bear

I found this delightful, simple story in a compilation called Wiggle Waggle Fun: stories and rhymes for the very very young by Margaret Mayo.  Its irresistable cuteness made it a prime candidate for felt adaptation.   

“A Good Name for a Teddy Bear”

Story by Margaret Mayo

Anna’s grandma gave her a lovely new teddy bear.  He had soft fur and a red ribbon tied around his neck.  What he didn’t have yet was a name. Anna decided to go ask her friends what they thought she should call her new teddy bear...

Anna skipped off and met her friend White Dog. 

“What shall I call my teddy bear?” asked Anna.

“Woof!  Woof!” said White Dog.

“Woof?” said Anna.  “That’s not a good name for a teddy bear!”

Anna skipped off and met her friend Orange Cat. 

“What shall I call my teddy bear?” asked Anna.

“Meow!  Meow!” said Orange Cat.

“Meow?” said Anna.  “That’s not a good name for a teddy bear!”

Anna skipped off and met her friend Black Rooster. 

“What shall I call my teddy bear?” asked Anna.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo!” said Black Rooster.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo?” said Anna.  “That’s not a good name for a teddy bear!”

Anna skipped off and met her friend Brown Donkey. 

“What shall I call my teddy bear?” asked Anna.

“Heehaw!  Heehaw!” said Brown Donkey.

“Heehaw?” said Anna.  “That’s not a good name for a teddy bear!”

Anna skipped off and met her friend Green-headed Duck. 

“What shall I call my teddy bear?” asked Anna.

“Quack!  Quack!” said Green-headed Duck.

“Quack?” said Anna.  “That’s not a good name for a teddy bear!”

Anna skipped off and met her friend Grandpa. 

“What shall I call my teddy bear?” asked Anna.

Grandpa said, “You could call him Ted.”

“Ted?” said Anna.  “Mmmm…Ted’s quite a good name…”

“He’s a very cuddly teddy,” said Grandpa.

“Cuddly Ted!” said Anna.  “That’s a very good name for a teddy bear!  I’ll call him Cuddly Ted!”

And she gave Cuddly Ted a big kiss on the nose.