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 Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:32 pm
Wolstencroft was especially fond of Jingle Bells. He liked its light, tinkling sounds. It always made him feel merry.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:34 pm
At that time there had been lots of other bears to keep him company. In fact, there had been so many teddy bears crowded onto that one narrow shelf that he had scarcely had room to move. 
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:36 pm
But, one by one they had all gone. Gleefully waving goodbye as they were carried off to their new homes. Until finally, he was the only teddy bear left in the entire store.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:38 pm
He had hoped that Santa Claus would drop by on Christmas Eve and deliver him to a good home. But he hadn’t. Santa had been too busy that year, delivering even more presents than usual.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:39 pm
Wolstencroft felt sad and lonely sitting there all by himself on the shelf that was high above the Christmas cards. He longed to have a child take him home and love him and play with him. But, most of all, to hug him. For no hug is ever too big for a teddy bear.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:42 pm
He was trying hard not to cry because he knew that tears would make his eyes all puffy and red and then he would have even less chance of finding a home.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:44 pm
But why oh why didn’t someone choose him?
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:47 pm
Then one day, shortly before Easter, three bunny rabbits were placed on the shelf beside him. They all had very big ears and feet and long legs. All three were wearing woolen sweaters.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:50 pm
Rita Rabbit wore a pink sweater. Roger Rabbit a green one. And Ronnie wore blue. Roger and Ronnie were twins, and Rita was their sister.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:52 pm
"My you are a handsome bear," Rita told Wolstencroft after the store had closed for the night. "I’m surprised that no one has bought you and taken you home." "So am I," replied Wolstencroft and, although he tried very hard to stop it, a tear rolled down his furry cheek.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:55 pm
Ronnie and Roger had jumped down off the shelf and were playing tag up and down the aisles. 
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:56 pm
"Be careful and don’t knock anything over," Rita called to them.
Rita looked closely at Wolstencroft from every angle. She peered into his face and circled around him, her nose twitching.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:57 pm
He had noticed that bunnies' noses twitch a lot. Then she sat down and remained deep in thought for a very long time.
"Well," he asked her, unable to stand the suspense any longer. "What do you think is wrong with me? Why doesn’t anyone want to buy me?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:10 pm
"It must be your name," Rita answered.
"My name!" exclaimed Wolstencroft. "Why, what’s wrong with my name?"
"Oh, there’s nothing wrong with your name," Rita replied. "Wolstencroft is a wonderful name, but it’s too long for some people to say. Not everyone can pronounce it properly."
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:13 pm
Now Wolstencroft had always been able to say his name correctly. But then, it was his very own name and everyone can say his or her own name.
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