Paddington where

by Vika Gusak

Mr and Mrs 🦌 found 🌹.

It was a warm [_____] day
The [_____] was crowded with people on their way to [_____].
[_____] were humming, [_____] blaring, [_____] rushing about shouting.

Altogether there was so much noise;
Mr 🦌 who saw it first had to tell Mrs 🦌 several times before she understood.

“A [_____] ? On the [_____] ?
Oh don’t be silly, it can’t be!”
Mr 🦌 adjusted his glasses. “But it is”, he insisted.

“I distinctly saw. Over there. Near the bicycle rack.
She is wearing a funny kind of [_____].”
He caught hold of [_____] and pushed through the crowd,
Round [_____], past [_____] and
Through a gap in [_____] towards the [_____] .

There you are, he said, pointing towards a dark corner. I told you so.
Mrs 🦌 dimly made out small 🌹 in the shadows.
She seemed to be sitting on some kind of [_____].
Around her neck was a label with some writing on it.

The [_____] was old and battered.
On the side, in large letters, were the words “Wanted [_____]”
Mrs 🦌 clutched at Mr 🦌 . “Why - I believe you were right. It is 🌹.”

She peered more closely. She was [_____], a dirty [_____], and
Wearing a most odd looking [_____]

From beneath the [_____], two large brown eyes stared back.
Seeing that something was expected, 🌹 stood up and
Politely raised her [_____], revealing [_____].

“You’re a very small 🌹 ” Mrs 🦌 said.
🌹 puffed out her chest “I’m a very rare sort of 🌹 .”

I’m not really supposed to be here at all. I’m [_____] .”
A sad expression came into her eyes. I used to live [_____] .

“Whatever did you do for [_____]?”
Bending down, 🌹 unlocked the [_____] with a small key, that she also had around her neck.

“But what are you going to do now?” Said Mrs 🦌.
”You can’t just [_____] waiting for something to happen.”

“Oh, I shall be alright, I expect.”
🌹 bent down to do up [_____] again.

As she did so, Mrs 🦌 caught a glimpse of the writing on the label. It said simply
”Please look after 🌹 , thank you.”

Dear Rosie

school
playground class
Nerves adults children



child ground



face
attention
people convention
time child



baggage

baggage
, loved.

hurt hurting
expression

expression

expression expression

Note: This poem is best viewed on desktop, or other widescreen devices.

Words adapted from ‘A Bear Called Paddington’ by Michael Bond

Vika Gusak is a computer programmer from London, author of “Emily Said It Better” iPhone app (download free on https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/emily-said-it-better/id1591017862 ).