Percy3

When they arrived at Anna's little apartment, the old lady was very happy to see them. She loved the tree. Percy introduced Hare-iette to Anna, and the three of them got busy putting up the tree and decorating it. They sang Christmas Carols, and laughed, and told stories. Anna gave Hare-iette and Percy each a glass of milk and a cookie. Hare-iette knew there were only 2 cookies. She figured Anna had bought them as special Christmas treats for herself and Percy. Hare-iette really didn't want to take the cookie from her new friend, but she could see how happy Anna was to have something to give her. She thanked Anna, and told her what a nice treat it was. Anna beamed with delight. Finally, hugs were exchanged and Hare-iette and Percy headed back to the big red barn.

The next morning, Hare-iette heard a scream, and pleading, and crying. She ran to the front of the barn to see what was going on. Disaster had struck!!! Percy had been adopted!!! He was in a big brown shopping bag that a man was carrying toward the exit. He was crying and pleading to be left at BBC, but the humans couldn't hear him. Hare-iette ran after him and tried to block the man's way, but he just ignored her, and left the store with Percy in the bag, crying his little teddy bear heart out.

Hare-iette went back to her own area, and sat and cried. It was so special to find someone to love who loves you back. Percy had found that, and then this happened. Maybe he could be happy with this new family. Surely, they would love him. But what about Anna? She really loved Percy. She would be destroyed.

That night, Hare-iette sneaked out and found her way to Anna's apartment. She had to let Anna know what happened, so she wouldn't be waiting and worrying.

When Anna heard the news, she cried. Then she stopped crying and tried to be brave. She said she hoped Percy would have a loving family and be very happy. Perhaps there would be children for him to play with. Hare-iette hugged Anna, and promised to come back and visit. She hopped back to the big red barn with a heavy heart.

For the next couple of days, everything went along normally, altho Hare-iette was worried about Percy and Anna. She was also very worried that she wouldn't be adopted before Christmas.

Christmas eve there was great excitment among the bears and hares. Of course, they were excited about Christmas, but also there were stories going around that Percy was back. One of the bears, who had been near the front desk that morning, said that the family had returned Percy because he was defective. He had a frozen shoulder, and they wanted to trade for a bear with a good arm.

So many emotions flooded Hare-iette. She was angry because they had called Percy defective. She was happy that he was back. Then she was frightened for him. When bears come back as defective, they are sent to the Reject Room. No one knew what happened after that, but it couldn't be good. No bear or hare that was sent to the Reject Room had ever been seen or heard from again. Oh poor Percy!! What terrible thing would happen to him now? Hare-iette just couldn't let anything bad happen to that sweet bear.

It took Hare-iette almost 2 hours to figure out how to get into the Reject room. Finally someone left a key behind one of the counters, and went to lunch. Hare-iette grabbed the key, and ran for the door. She let herself in, closed the door, and called for Percy. Finally she heard him. She followed his muffled voice, and found him sealed in a box. She tore the tape off the box, and helped Percy out. They were so happy to see each other, that they gave each other big hugs. Percy said he knew something awful would have happened if he hadn't gotten out of that box. Percy and Hare-iette sat, and tried to figure out what to do next. Then it dawned on Percy! The people a BBC didn't want him anymore. He was defective merchandise. If they didn't want him, they wouldn't even notice that he was gone. They certainly wouldn't spend a fortune in court fighting a custody battle. Percy could just leave! Yes!! Now he could go, and Anna could be his real Mom!!

Percy gave Hare-iette a big hug, and asked her to come and visit him and Anna. Then he dashed away towards his secret exit, singing Joy to the World as he went. Hare-iette was so happy for him that her sweet little hare heart almost burst.

Hare-iette didn't get adopted that Christmas. A few weeks later, when she had gotten over the disappointment, she went to visit Percy and Anna. She was so surprised to see that the little apartment had a fresh coat of paint, Anna had a new dress, and there was a whole package of cookies on the table. Hare-iette pulled Percy aside and asked him what had happened. He told her that he had convinced Anna to call a major television station and tell them her story. They agreed to buy the story of Anna and her Christmas bear. If Anna and Percy are careful, they can live comfortably on that money for a very long time. And so......they will live happily ever after.

by Carol Bastian

Dedicated to a real Anna, my Mom.

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