63. Leaving the City behind

After waving to his friends Merlena Bear and Hernando Bear on the platform until he could not see them any more, Theodore Bear closed the window as the train picked up speed.  He stowed his back pack and cane safely on the luggage rack above his head and settled down on the seat by the window.  Theodore wanted to see everything as the train traveled along. The tracks wound their way through the city and he could have a last look at the Tilly Towers and the picnic spot on the river bank but soon all the buildings were left behind and they were out in the country.  "There is the airport," said Theodore to himself, "there are not many airplanes today, but that big jet is beautiful.  Oh, and there is a very small plane coming in to land now."  Theodore was used to the desert scenery the train was passing through but he loved the sand dunes and the grass tufts and the cactus plants and watched carefully to see if he could spot any animals before it became too hot.

62. The Good-byes

Theodore Bear stood on the platform with Hernando and Merlena and the minutes ticked by on the big clock.  They were all very quiet.  Then Theodore said, "No long good-byes and speeches here, Merlena and Hernando, just a big heartfelt thank you to you both," and he held out his paw.  Hernando Bear shook his paw and then Theodore bowed politely as he greeted Merlena and shook her paw too.  "Look, here comes the train now.  Don't forget to wave to us," said Merlena and managed a smile. When the train stopped Theodore climbed up the steps and quickly found a seat.  He opened the window and reached out to Hernando and Merlena holding out both paws.  "Last touch," he said with a big smile and the train began to pull away. "Good-bye, good-bye" they shouted together and waved to each other until the train disappeared around the corner.  Theodore Bear was on his way.

  

61. Theodore's Lucky Day

"Mr. Bear, Mr. Bear, look what just happened!" said the ticket office lady excitedly, "today really is your lucky day.  This machine has issued you a Super-Special-Offer-Ticket because you are such an early traveler and it means that you can travel anywhere you like on the train.  Congratulations and Bon Voyage!"  The ticket that Theodore held in his paw had a big gold star in the one corner and  ANYTIME TRAVEL was written in big green letters right across it.  "Thank you very much," Theodore said, "I can hardly believe it all."  Merlena and Hernando Bear each wanted to hold such a special ticket too and they were so happy for Theodore.  "Now you will be able to see many places," they said and almost wished they could go too.  "Let us go over to the platform," said Merlena, "the train will be coming soon."

60. The Ticket Office

The lady behind the glass at the ticket office looked busy and she did not notice the face at the window.  Theodore Bear cleared his throat and said, "Good Morning, Lady, I need a train ticket, please."  Surprised to hear such a deep voice, the lady looked up and could hardly believe her eyes. "Mr. Bear" she said and smiled a welcome. "Well, good morning to you. You are my first customer today. But I must say, I do not often have a bear wanting a ticket. Now let me see what I can do for you."  The lady tapped some details into the big ticket machine in front of her and waited for a minute or two.  Suddenly the machine made a loud noise, a bell jingled and a green light flashed.  Theodore turned to look at Hernando and Merlena who were standing next to him.  "Oh, no, what now," he said sadly, "Do you think the machine is broken and I cannot get a ticket today?"

59. The next Morning

Theodore Bear opened his eyes and saw that it was light at the window.  Then he remembered, "Oh yes, I am going traveling today.  It feels like it will be an exciting day," and he jumped up from under the blanket to look out of the window.  The sun was shining in a blue sky. "A good start," he thought.  Theodore put on his green bow and by the time he was ready Hernando and Merlena were up too.  "We will leave for the station straight after breakfast," said Merlena, "it will give you a nice early start, Theodore." "Yes," Theodore agreed, "I want to travel by day to see everything along the way."  He lifted his back pack onto his back, picked up his walking cane and the bears set off to catch the tram.  At the station Theodore headed directly to the ticket office.  He was the only one who wanted to travel so early in the morning.

58. Theodore prepares to Travel

"Well, I guess I must pack my back pack," Theodore Bear thought to himself, "I had better start by shaking it out.  I have not used it since we went on the picnic and there may be some crumbs left in it.  The birds will enjoy these, I know."  Theodore carefully brushed his fur before packing the brush at the bottom of the rucksack next to the bottle of honey that he had brought with from home.  Then he folded up the red spotted handkerchief and put that in. On top he placed the envelope that Merlena had given him, being sure not to bend it.  Theodore took off the blue bow he was wearing.  "I will be traveling again so I need to wear my green bow because that is for GO," he said to himself and laid it out ready for the morning.  He carefully placed all the other bows in the back pack and fastened the buckles securely.  "Oh, yes, my cane. All travelers need a cane," he reminded himself and stood it up against the back pack.  Now he was ready but first he would have one more night on Merlena's sofa.  

57. The Envelope

At last Theodore peeped inside the envelope that Merlena Bear had just given him. He could hardly believe his eyes.  It was full of little white cards!  Carefully Theodore took them out and looked at each one, his smile getting broader and broader all the time as he read them.  "Merlena," he said,  "What is all this about?   Each little card has a name and address of one of your friends at your party." Merlena clapped her paws in delight and laughed at Theodore's puzzled face.  Then she explained.  "My friends all enjoyed meeting you and hearing about your travel plans so much that they asked me to give you their addresses.  It is an invitation from each one for you to visit them when you get to where they live."  Theodore felt deeply touched and put his head on his paws for a moment. Then he said, "That is so very,very kind of them all.  I will try to visit everyone. Thank you, Merlena."  

56. A Surprise for Theodore

Merlena and Hernando Bear looked at each other and sighed.  "We have also enjoyed showing you around, Theodore.  It was almost like being on vacation ourselves.  Of course we will come and see you off and remember, don't pass me by when you get to Europe," said Hernando.  Merlena said, "We will miss you, Theodore, but we hope you will have a wonderful trip and don't forget to let us know where you are!"  She stood up and walked over to the cupboard.  "I have a surprise for you and was told to give it to you when you are leaving us," said Merlena as she handed Theodore an envelope with his name on.  "Please open it now," she smiled.  Theodore hardly knew what to say but soon remembered his manners and thanked Merlena very much. He felt quite nervous as he lifted the flap on the fat little envelope.

55. Thank you

"Supper was delicious. Thank you, Merlena, I enjoyed that fruit salad very much," said Theodore Bear, leaning back in his chair.  He looked very serious and then continued, "You and Hernando have been so kind to me and I really appreciate you having me for these few days.  Many thanks to you both.  It has been so special to see this beautifully kept city where everything is so clean and neat and well cared for. We had a wonderful day at the river together with Shelley and what a surprise it was to meet Duty Bear at the tall building today.  However, it is now time for me to move on.  The man on the radio said to travel and see the world and I am looking forward to doing that.  There are so many places still to see.  I would like to catch a train tomorrow morning and it would be lovely if you would both come to the station and see me off too."

54. Lunch

   

Duty Bear and his three new friends had a wonderful time chatting over lunch.  Merlena told him all about the town and what they do there and he told them about the big city where he lives.  "We have real skyscrapers", he said, "and big, wide highways and a very large airport.  I do duty there and if you come to my city I will show you around.  Here is a little card with my name and address on it."  and he took one out of his pocket and handed it to Theodore Bear.  "Thank you, Duty Bear,  I will take you up on that offer soon," he said.  The day had passed quickly and it was time for them to go their separate ways.  "Good-bye, good-bye" they said to each other, shook paws and waved as they parted company.

 

53. Pleased to meet you

"OK," said Theodore Bear, "I think I have seen everything now.  Maybe we could. . ." He turned around to talk to Merlena and Hernando and stopped in mid sentence.  The other two bears looked to see what Theodore was watching and what a surprise they had!  There stepping out of the elevator was another bear!   "He must be a visitor too" Merlena Bear whispered trying to keep her growly voice as quiet as possible, "he is in uniform."  And so he was.  He looked very smart and wore a neat cap and also had a back pack on his back. Almost at once he saw the other bears and came over with a big smile.  "Well, fancy meeting bears up here," he said and held out a paw to Hernando.  "My name is Duty Bear and I am just passing through this town today.  I thought I would see the most from up here," he said as he shook paws and heard the other names too.  "Maybe we could have lunch together after I have looked around?"  "Yes, we would like that", said  Hernando and Theodore and Merlena together,  "we will meet you downstairs again."

52. Going Up!

Theodore Bear was so impressed with Tilly Towers but Merlena and Hernando assured him that in a real big city the skyscrapers were many times taller. Theodore looked around wide-eyed and followed the other two bears through the big glass doors that opened when they stepped onto the mat in front of them.  They went inside and found their way to the elevator.  Theodore felt a touch nervous about getting into such a narrow elevator but Merlena and Hernando laughed and said, "Don't worry, we will each hold a paw with you."  Quickly the elevator was at the top floor and they walked over to the viewing area.  "Wow", said Theodore, "I can almost see till next week! This is lovely." They looked out the windows all around the viewing area.  They could see the shopping mall where they had met Shelley, the river and picnic area where they had so much fun and looked way over in the distance past the edge of the city.   Merlena pointed out some of the famous landmarks and could even show them where her house was.  It looked extra small from so far away.

51. On the Way to Town

"It is a beautiful clear morning today," said Merlena Bear, " we should have an excellent view.  Are you all ready?  Let us walk to town today and see the new part where all the big houses are." Hernando was wearing his red bow and Theodore had a blue one.  "You both look very smart,” said Merlena, "just right for being in the smart part of town."  They all laughed at her idea.  The bears strolled along under the trees lining the street enjoying the sunshine and trying to figure out what people do with so many rooms in such big houses. "Many visitors?  Many children?" wondered Merlena, "I don't know."  Soon they were standing outside the tallest building.  Big letters spelt out the name TILLY TOWERS over the entrance. Theodore Bear felt so small.  He tipped his head right back and shaded his eyes with his paws to be able to see right to the top.  "Wow!" he said.