Dear bear friends:

It was Thanksgiving morning. The good smell of food cooking came up the stairs early, even before Miss Cynthia!

"Perry! Perry Bear!" called Miss Cynthia. I yawned and stretched and opened my eyes sleepily. Miss Cynthia scooped me off the bookcase. "Hurry up and come downstairs!" she said, "You don't want to miss the parade!"

Parade? What parade? I felt sleepy and grumbly. I yawned again as Miss Cynthia took me down the stairs to the family room. I didn't remember anything about a parade!

Miss Cynthia sat me on a little stool, in front of the television. What a treat! Usually, Miss Cynthia is very strict about television. I sat on my stool and blinked, trying to wake up. It must be a special day!

Then, I remembered! It was Thanksgiving Day. This morning, we were going to watch a parade from New York City. We will be traveling to New York City very soon. I sat up straight on my little stool, and paid attention to the television. Would we be able to see some of the sights of New York City?

Even though skies were cloudy here in the Tri-Cities, the streets of New York City were bright and sunny. Brisk winds blew on the parade announcers. I began to wiggle on my stool. This was exciting!

Look! There was Central Park: a big, green open space right in the middle of all the buildings. I saw a pretty ice skater dance on a pond in the Park. A helicopter showed views of the New York City streets. Everyone was lined up, waiting for the parade.

Here it came! Clowns and floats and big balloons, blowing in the wind. I liked the marching bands. The music made me want to march, too! Singers sang, dancers danced, and everyone smiled and waved. I waved back!

New York City looked like a wonderful place to be at holiday time. The tall buildings were decorated with twinkling lights. All the people looked happy and jolly, and all the children were smiling.

What a wonderful parade! Miss Cynthia, Doctor Steve and I laughed as we watched the antics of the clowns. Miss Cynthia liked a group of dancers, called the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. They were dressed as toy soldiers and they performed a funny dance. Doctor Steve liked the big balloons. "Here comes Spiderman!" he said.

The parade was ending when Miss Cynthia smiled at me. "Perry, pay attention!", she said. "Here comes Santa!"

Perry's Special Santa

Santa? Who was Santa? I watched the television screen closely. Here he came: Santa Claus. He was driving a big sleigh pulled by reindeer. Santa wore a red suit with fur trim. He looked almost like a polar bear! He was big and round, and he had a white beard and long white hair. He laughed and waved to everyone.

The parade was over. I sat on my stool and wondered. I liked Santa! But who was he? And why was Santa riding in the Thanksgiving Day parade? As Reporter Perry, I would have to get to the bottom of this mystery!

Your bear friend,

Perry Bear Ewer

Dear bear friends:

After I watched the parade, I couldn't stop thinking about Santa! Who was he? When we travel to New York City, could I meet him? The stuffing in my head creaked with so many thoughts.

"Miss Cynthia?" I asked. We were in the kitchen. Miss Cynthia was making a gingerbread house. Frosting was everywhere! I sat nearby, holding the candies that would decorate the gingerbread house. The kitchen had a wonderful smell of ginger and cinnamon and molasses.

Perry's Gingerbread House

"Hmmm?" answered Miss Cynthia, distracted. "Perry, give me your paw. Now, hold that wall up for me, right there. Just like that!" Miss Cynthia stuck two gingerbread walls together with frosting. With my help, they stayed upright!

"Miss Cynthia!" I said, more insistently.

"What, Perry?" she asked. "Now, where is that piece for the roof? There it is, by the mixer!" Miss Cynthia reached past me to find the gingerbread piece.

"Miss Cynthia!!" I shouted, "I want to ask you something!"

Miss Cynthia put her frosting-covered hands on her frosting-covered hips and looked at me sternly.

"Perry," she scolded, "there is no need to yell. Now, what do you want to ask?"

I gulped. Maybe this wasn't a very good time to ask about Santa!

Miss Cynthia smiled. "I'm sorry, Perry. I wasn't paying attention. Now, what was it you wanted to ask me?" she said, ruffling my fur--and smearing frosting on my head. She went back to spreading frosting on the gingerbread house.

"Miss Cynthia, how can I find out about Santa?" I asked, as I pushed a candy into the roof of the gingerbread house.

"Why, Perry, I'm surprised!" she answered. "You are a reporter now. Don't you know how reporters find out about things?"

"Not really, Miss Cynthia," I said. "I am only a little teddy bear, and nobody ever told me what cub reporters do!"

Miss Cynthia laughed. "Don't worry, Perry, it's very easy! Reporters ask five questions: one for every year you are old!" she said. "The questions are called 'The Five Ws': Who, What, When, Where and Why!"

"Who, What, When, Where and Why?" I asked. "How do the Five Ws help me find out about Santa?" I handed Miss Cynthia another candy for the roof.

"Simple, Perry," she said, as she piped more frosting on the walls of the house. "You ask everyone those five questions! 'Who is Santa?', 'What does Santa do?', 'When does he do it?,' 'Where does he do it?' and 'Why does he do it?' and you'll have the story!"

Miss Cynthia stood back and admired the gingerbread house. "Just one more gumdrop for the roof, right here . . ." she said.

Of course! I would ask everyone the Five Questions about Santa! When we went to New York City, I would know where to find him. I would visit Santa so I could tell all my bear friends about him.

I scratched the dried frosting off my fur and smiled. Reporter Perry is on the story!

Your bear friend,
Perry Bear Ewer

---

Learn more about the Reporter's Five Ws (and an H!)

Make a classroom newspaper with help from EnchantedLearning.com! Learn more about the Reporter's Five Ws and how to write a news story with free printable worksheets:

Make A Classroom Newspaper

Dear bear friends:

When a reporter wants to find out something, he asks people who know! That's why I started to learn about Santa Claus with a phone call to my good friend, Miss Erin.

Miss Erin is very old - she's six! I knew she could tell me lots of information about Santa.

Miss Cynthia let me sit in her big desk chair, and dialed the telephone for me. Ring-ring! Ring-ring!

A voice answered on the line: "Hello!" I was a little bit startled. I'm glad Miss Cynthia helped me learn good telephone manners! I said, "Good afternoon, Miss Jackie. This is Perry Bear. May I speak to Miss Erin, please?"

Soon, Miss Erin came to the phone. I asked my first question: "Miss Erin, who is Santa Claus?"

Miss Erin answered, "Okay. He is a man that's very, very, very old. And he gives presents to children!"

"Presents?" I said, "Santa brings presents? When does he do this?"

"On Christmas night!" exclaimed Miss Erin. "You have to hang up your stocking. Then he puts presents in it."

"Miss Erin, what's a stocking?" I asked.

"Well, it's like a big sock with a hook. You hang it up by the fireplace," replied Miss Erin. "But you only get presents if you're good."

"What if you aren't good?" I asked. I gulped, thinking of the time Miss Cynthia caught the bear family playing poker.

"Well," said Miss Erin, "then Santa will leave a lump of coal instead of the presents."

"Coal?" I asked, "What is coal?"

"Perry, you ask too many questions. Coal is black stuff like you cook hamburgers with." answered Miss Erin.

I sat back and thought for one moment. Presents. Santa. Stockings. Coal. Suddenly, I had a wonderful thought! "Miss Erin, do you think Santa would bring presents to bears?" I asked.

Miss Erin was quiet. Then she said, in a small voice, "Maybe! But you have to ask him! You have to make a list and tell him what you want. And tell him if you've been good."

That was it! I would talk to the other bears. We would make a special list. I would travel to New York City to find a special Santa. Maybe, just maybe, Santa would come for bears, too!

Your bear friend,

Perry Bear Ewer

Dear bear friends:

It was late at night in the house on the hill. The Ewer bear family gathered. I snuggled down between Franklin and Gus and looked at the dear furry faces of my fellow bears. Time to bring up the question I'd been thinking about all day.

"Alexander", I asked, "What do you know about Santa?"

The Ewer Bears Make A List

"Santa?" answered my twin brother, "Why, I know all about Santa Claus!" I sat up, amazed. "Let's see," Alexander continued, "Santa wears a red suit, travels in a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer, and brings presents to American children on Christmas Eve!"

"Alexander!" I exclaimed, "How do you know so much about Santa Claus?"

"Perry, old thing," Alexander said kindly, "While you're off traveling with Miss Cynthia, I spend my time reading and studying! Of course I know about Santa Claus!"

"Santa Claus?" asked Prince Hal, "Surely you mean Father Christmas!" A chorus of bear voices arose: "Father Christmas? Who is Father Christmas?"

Prince Hal wriggled to the center of the circled bears. "Chaps, in my home in England, children are visited by Father Christmas. He has a long beard and a fur suit. Oh, British children have the most charming custom!"

"Children write letters to Father Christmas, but they don't post them, they burn them in the fireplace! Father Christmas reads the letters in the smoke, and knows what to bring to fill each child's stocking."

The bears nodded and murmured. "Father Christmas sounds much like your American Santa!" added Prince Hal.

Cokie bounced up and down on his tail. "Fellows, I saw many different Christmas customs when I toured Europe with Miss Cynthia, years ago! Do you know about Sinterklaas? In the Netherlands, children don't hang up stockings. Instead, they fill their wooden shoes with hay and sugar for Sinterklaas's reindeer. On Christmas morning, they find their shoes filled with candy and nuts!"

Grillparzer edged closer to the center. "In my home of Austria," he said, "Saint Nicholas brings presents to children. He has a helper who looks like a little red imp and who carries a little switch. Naughty children try to stay away from the little devil! Children must tell Saint Nicholas their good and bad deeds over the year; good children are rewarded with candies, toys and nuts!"

Gaius Ursus stood up tall. "Dear bear brothers, in my home country of Italy, children are visited by La Befana! She is very wise. She comes on January 6, and she rewards the good children with gifts - but punishes the bad children!"

I spoke up. "Remember my friend Bradley, from Australia?" I asked. "He told me Australian children celebrate Christmas by going to the beach to swim! Remember, it's summer in Australia when Christmas comes!"

The bears growled and murmured among themselves. I sat and thought. Whether I thought of him as Santa Claus or Sinterklaas or Father Christmas, Santa sounded just wonderful - but would he come for bears? Time to find out!

"Bears," I began, "as you know, I'm about to travel to New York City. I know I can find a special Santa Claus there - the one I saw in the parade. We could write him a letter, and tell him how good we've been this year. Do you think if we asked him, he might to visit us, the bear family?"

The bears came alive! "Santa? Come and leave presents for us?" asked little Marco. "Only if you've been a good bear!" said Leif Bearickson, smiling, as he hugged our youngest bear brother.

Alexander held up a paw. We all quieted down. "My friends, if our brave brother Perry is willing, I think we should write to Santa. Perry can deliver the letter, and ask Santa to visit us. From what I know about Santa Claus, I think he'd agree!"

The bears cheered, shaking paws and jostling one another goodnaturedly. Whoops! Little Marco fell off the bookcase again!

Soon, we were gathered around, writing to Santa. It was a long list - but then, we have so many bears! Alexander and I rolled our letter into a nice neat tube. I would take it with me in my little bag.

Now, I must go to New York City and find Santa Claus!

Your bear friend,

Perry Bear Ewer

Dear bear friends:

It's early morning, and I am typing very quietly. Miss Cynthia is sleeping. We are in New York City!

It was a long, hard day. Early in the morning, we climbed on an airplane in the Tri-Cities, and by dinner time, we were in New York City!

Perry Rides On A Plane

I like riding on airplanes! You have to sit quietly in your seat. Don't forget to buckle your seatbelt! The flight attendants bring nice snacks and delicious drinks. Miss Cynthia allowed me to have a soda. The bubbles tickled my nose!

Because it is close to Christmas vacation, many children were traveling. I made friends with everyone. Most people were surprised to meet a traveling teddy bear, but everyone was very kind.

It was dark when we arrived at LaGuardia airport, near New York City. Surprise! There was a jolly, friendly-looking man holding a sign that said, "Ewer". Doctor Steve was attending a doctor meeting, so they had sent a nice man to drive us to our hotel. He introduced himself as Mister Harry Limo - and told us he'd be right back. "Look for the charcoal stretch!" he said.

Perry Meets Harry Limo

I looked at Miss Cynthia, puzzled. "What is a 'charcoal stretch'?" I asked. She laughed and ruffled my fur. "You'll see, Perry!" she said.

I did see. And see, and see, and see! A "stretch limosine" is a very long car. It is made for driving people here and there - but doing it very, very comfortably. Here came Mister Harry Limo's stretch limosine. It was the longest car I'd ever seen!

Perry's Stretch Limo

Mister Harry opened the door, and we tumbled inside. What a car! It was as big as a room inside, with soft, comfortable leather seats. I understood the "stretch" part as soon as Miss Cynthia and Doctor Steve sighed and stuck their feet straight out from their seat. Aaaaahhh! That felt so good, after sitting on airplanes all day!

Perry Stretches Out

I bounced all around the beautiful car. The seats were made of leather and smelled oh! so nice. I began to explore all the wonderful wooden cabinets on the side of the car. This one held glasses, and napkins. Look! This one held more soda - but I didn't want any more bubbles in my nose.

Perry Finds Some Soda

Doctor Steve said, "Watch, Perry!" He pushed a little button in a control panel on the ceiling - and a cabinet door opened automatically. Inside, there was a little television! I was so surprised, I tumbled off the seat onto the floor. Doctor Steve and Miss Cynthia laughed as they helped me up and brushed me off.

Perry's Limo Television

It was fun to watch the scenery go by from the beautiful car. We crossed a giant bridge, and suddenly, we were in Manhattan - the heart of New York City. Doctor Steve pointed out the familiar landmarks to me as we passed. The Empire State Building was decorated with Christmas lights.

Too soon, we arrived at our hotel. Mister Harry helped us out. I looked around on the sidewalk. Everything was decorated with beautiful holiday decorations and lights. Soon, we were in our very own room - on the 48th floor!

I like it here in New York City!
Your bear friend,

Perry Bear Ewer

Dear bear friends:

It was cold and brisk and breezy in New York City this morning. Before we left our hotel, Miss Cynthia wrapped me in a nice warm scarf. Even through a polar bear's fur, I could feel the chill wind as it blew around and between the tall buildings.

We were going shopping! "Perry," said Miss Cynthia as we spun through the revolving hotel door, "there's no place like New York City for Christmas shopping!" I waved to the doorman with the tall, tall hat. How did he keep his hat on in all this wind?

We walked down the streets of Manhattan. Everywhere I looked, I saw beautiful holiday decorations. There was the Cartier building, all four stories, wrapped in a giant bow. Giant Nutcrackers, 15 feet tall, stood in solemn rows before the Sony building. Even the fountains were decorated, one with the extra ornaments from a giant's Christmas tree.

Store windows were full of magic. Christmas trees and dancing toys, fairy wonderlands and snowy winter scenes appeared in window after window after window. I wanted to look and look and look.

The people on the street were happy and jolly. Even New Yorkers like teddy bears! Many people smiled at me as we passed. Bright colored shopping bags bobbled at knee height among the crowd. We weren't the only shoppers that morning, not at all!

I loved watching the people and the buildings and the windows and the decorations but I didn't like shopping nearly so much. I am only a little bear!

Miss Cynthia tried on dress after dress after dress. "What do you think of this one, Perry?" she asked. I mumbled an answer behind my paw. How could I tell her? That dress looked just like the last dress she tried on, and the one before that, and the one before that. I'm glad I have fur! That way, I don't have to worry about clothes!

"Are we done yet?" I asked, as we rode the escalator down to the jewelry counter. "Not yet, silly Perry!" answered Miss Cynthia. "Now we have to find some accessories!" This was too much. Accessories? I yawned and stretched. When Miss Cynthia sat me on the jewelry counter so that she could try on a necklace, I went right to sleep!

Perry Shops Till He Drops

The flash of the camera woke me. "Perry," said Miss Cynthia, smiling, "now we can truly say that we shopped till we dropped!"

Your bear friend,

Perry Bear Ewer

Dear bear friends:

I could hardly keep still! Miss Cynthia and Doctor Steve were taking too long to get ready. Tonight, we would visit Radio City Music Hall. We would see the Christmas show. I was dancing with impatience as Miss Cynthia combed her hair one more time.

"Aren't we ready yet?" I asked. I wanted to see the dancing, and hear the singing!. Most of all, I wanted to see if I could spot Santa Claus! If we could only get out of this hotel room!

Miss Cynthia fussed around me. "Here, Perry," she said, "I got you a present!"

Perry's Santa Hat

I looked in the mirror and smiled. Miss Cynthia had given me a Santa hat! Now I was sure to find my special Santa. I tossed my head in front of the mirror, just to watch the big fuzzy ball bobble on the end of my Santa hat.

At last! Miss Cynthia picked me up. We were on our way to the show!

Radio City Music Hall is a very old, very famous theatre in New York City. Each Christmas, Radio City presents a special show, the Christmas Spectacular. There are singers and dancers and actors.

There is a special group of dancers, called the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. They are all beautiful young women who dance in a very special way: all together in a line! Every Rockette does the same movement as every other Rockette. It is very exciting!

There it was! A giant red lighted sign marked the theatre: "Radio City Music Hall". I could tell we were getting close, even without the sign. There were so many people! Everyone was laughing and smiling as they crowded to the theatre doors.

Inside, I was amazed! The lobby was so big! It was decorated in gold and was so very beautiful. There were singers and musicians performing Christmas songs. Miss Cynthia and I climbed the steps to the second floor, so Doctor Steve could take our picture. He could barely see little Perry Bear, we were so high!

In the Lobby at Radio City Music Hall

We came to our seats. Below us, the theatre spread out before our eyes. It was huge! I turned to Miss Cynthia. "I think there must be 200 people here!" I said. Miss Cynthia laughed. "Perry, there are almost six thousand people in this hall!" Six thousand? My goodness, I'd never seen so many people in one place before.

No time to think any more! The show was beginning. Look! I saw Santa Claus! He was singing and dancing. Was he my special Santa? I thought so, but he was very far away.

I sat back to enjoy the show. There were so many things to see! Santa danced, and then came my favorite part. It was the story of the Nutcracker, but the ballet was danced entirely by teddy bears!

The Rockettes came on stage dressed as toy soldiers. There was even a Living Nativity scene, with Mary and Joseph and the Wise Men and the Shepherds. Oh, and real sheep, a donkey, and three camels!

Miss Cynthia says if you want to see photographs of the exciting performance, ask your parents to go to this address on the World Wide Web: Radio City Christmas Show

When I left the theatre, I was dazzled. Such kicking and singing and dancing! I wanted to dance, too, and I wiggled and rocked in Miss Cynthia's arms. I was moving in time to the music as we walked along the crowded sidewalk.

Suddenly, someone tapped on Miss Cynthia's shoulder. It was a young man with a lilting, musical accent. "Here," he said to me, "you dropped your hat!" It was my Santa hat! I was dancing so hard and so happily that I didn't even notice what had happened to my hat!

"Perry Bear," Miss Cynthia said, "Christmas comes everywhere but especially to New York City!" I nodded. It was so nice of that young man to help me with my hat.

Now, if I could only find my special Santa and ask him to visit the bear family!

Your bear friend,

Perry Bear Ewer

Dear bear friends:

It was our last day in New York City. Once again, we were walking the streets of Manhattan, enjoying the holiday fun. Giant nutcrackers lined the boulevard. Merry musicians played and sang.

Nutcrackers On Parade

But where was Santa? I'd looked and I'd looked, but I hadn't found my special Santa Claus. How could I return home? The bear family was counting on me!

Miss Cynthia noticed my sad face. "Perry," she asked, "what's wrong?"

"I thought I would see Santa Claus in New York City," I said. "Miss Cynthia, the bears are counting on me to tell Santa how good we've been! I have a list, and everything! I can't go home without seeing Santa!"

"My goodness, Perry," said Miss Cynthia, "of course you must see Santa! Why didn't you tell me?"

I looked down at the ground. "I wanted to find Santa all by myself!", I said. "How can I be a reporter if I can't even find Santa Claus?"

Miss Cynthia ruffled my fur. "Perry Bear," she said, "I think I know where Santa can be found. Shall we go see him?"

"You know where Santa is? The Santa from the parade?" I asked. New hope filled my heart. "Can we go? Can we go now? I have to ask Santa to visit the bear family! I have to tell him how good we've been this year! I have to give him my list!"

"Okay, Perry," laughed Miss Cynthia, "we will go see Santa right now!"

Oh, I was a happy little bear! We walked down more busy streets. We were on our way to find Santa Claus!

Soon, we stood before a very familiar building. Why, it was the same building I saw in the parade! I was so happy!

Perry Finds The Right Place

"Look down, Perry," said Miss Cynthia. I did - and there it was! The street was painted with a parade picture. It was the place where the parade's dancers had danced, where the singers had sung, where the bands had marched. We were here!

Inside, the store was full of happy shoppers, packed tightly together around the counters. I craned my neck, looking for Santa. Where was he?

Miss Cynthia knew where to go. Up the escalators! Up and up and up and up, all the way to the eighth floor. We floated upward on the last escalator. I held my breath. Would Santa really be there? Would I get to see him? Would I get to talk to him?

There it was! Not just Santa, but a whole Santa village. I bounced up and down in Miss Cynthia's arms. Here was Santa's workshop, his candy factory, his post office. We were here! We were here! I could hardly stand still!

There was a line of children waiting to see Santa. Miss Cynthia and I took our place at the back of the line. I was bursting with excitement. I didn't care how long we had to wait, I was going to see Santa Claus!

Perry Waits In Line

As we waited, we passed through Santa's village. Oh, my, it was so beautiful. Children helped Santa Claus by pressing buttons to operate special machinery. This machine made cookies. That machine sorted the mail. I helped, too!

Perry Helps Santa Make Cookies

We were almost there. I could scarcely breathe. I had my list from all the bears. What would I say? I practiced my little speech in Miss Cynthia's arms: "Hello, Santa! Would you please visit the Ewer bear family? We bears have all been very, very good this year!"

"Haven't you forgotten something, Perry?" asked Miss Cynthia.

Forgotten? What could I have forgotten? I looked at Miss Cynthia, puzzled.

"Perry, where are your manners?" she said.

Oh! Now I remembered! I should have added the magic words, "Thank you!" I practiced again: "Hello, Santa! Would you please visit the Ewer bear family? We bears have all been very, very good this year. THANK YOU!" Miss Cynthia nodded approvingly.

Goodness! We were at the head of the line. I would see Santa next! My heart flopped and my tummy thunked and my knees knocked. I clung tightly to my list - and to Miss Cynthia.

A kindly elf greeted us. He showed us the way to Santa's house. The door opened. There he was! It was really, truly, absolutely my special Santa.

"Santa, this is Perry Bear Ewer." Miss Cynthia said, as she placed me on Santa's lap. Oh my goodness! I was sitting on Santa's lap!

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out! All I could see was Santa's beard. It was so big! His suit was so very red! Santa's face was very, very kind - but I had forgotten what to say!

"Uh, er, hmmm," I said. I tried again, clearing my throat. "Hello, Santa." I said, very softly. What came next? Oh, no! I couldn't remember!

I handed Santa our list. I looked up into his face. He smiled at me, and patted my head. Miss Cynthia snapped my picture, and it was time to go.

Perry Meets Santa

"Say good-bye to Santa, Perry" said Miss Cynthia as we walked out the door. I managed a tiny wave with my paw.

I had met Santa - but I had failed. I hadn't been able to talk, to tell him about the bear family. I hadn't remembered to tell Santa how good we'd all been this year.

Poor Perry Forgot What To Say!

I rested my head on Miss Cynthia's shoulder as we walked from the store. The tears fell fast and thick, rolling off my fur. Would there be any Christmas for the bear family this year?

Your bear friend,
Perry Bear Ewer

Dear bear friends:

I cried and I cried and I cried! To go all the way to New York City! To find my special Santa, my Santa from the parade, only to forget what to say!

Poor Perry! He Forgot What To Say

We were on the plane, headed toward home and the house on the hill. I sat on Miss Cynthia's lap, sad as a little bear could be.

"Perry," said Miss Cynthia, "you mustn't fret! Santa knows that all the bears have been good bears this year! Santa got your list. I know Santa won't forget all those little bears."

"But Miss Cynthia," I sniffed, "what if Santa does forget? It will be all my fault! The bears were counting on me, and I forgot what to say. I practiced and practiced, and I still forgot what to say!" More tears leaked down my fur.

"Oh, you silly little bear," smiled Miss Cynthia, "don't you know that many children forget what to say when they see Santa? Santa knows, all the same - and he loves you, Perry. You and all the other Ewer bears. Santa will find you, don't worry!"

I couldn't be consoled. Miss Cynthia patted my back and stroked my head. I hiccupped. I took a deep breath.

"Okay, Perry," said Miss Cynthia, "I have another idea. Visiting Santa in person isn't the only way to talk to him! Remember? You can write him a letter!"

"But Miss Cynthia," I wailed, "today is Christmas Eve! There isn't enough time for a letter to go all the way to the North Pole!"

"Perry, don't be silly!" said Miss Cynthia. "You're a high-tech bear. Why don't you use your computer to send Santa an e-mail?"

I sat up straight. An e-mail? It would be delivered right away! An e-mail! I would send Santa an e-mail! I would tell him all about the bear family. I would tell him how good we've been! I would tell him all about us, everything that I forgot!

I squeezed the last tears from my fur, and smiled at Miss Cynthia. "See?" she said, "There's no reason for all this fuss! Let's compose an e-mail to Santa, right now. We'll send it from the phone, here on the airplane!"

Perry Sends An E-Mail

And we did! Out came the little computer. I thought and thought, then I asked Miss Cynthia to send this e-mail to Santa:

"Dear Santa:

"My name is Perry Bear. I came to see you in New York City. I forgot what to say. So I am writing you this e-mail. Would you please visit the Ewer bear family this year? We live in the house on the hill. All the bears have been very, very good. I already gave you the list. We will leave you some milk and cookies, and a carrot for your reindeer.

Love,

Perry Bear Ewer"

In a few moments, the e-mail was on the way to the North Pole!

I sat up straight, stuck out my chest and smiled. Perry Bear Ewer had saved the day!

Now, to wait for Christmas morning!

Your bear friend,

Perry Bear Ewer

Dear bear friends:

It was Christmas Eve, and we were home. There was a happy reunion at the house on the hill!

I sat surrounded by my bear family. Everyone was glad to see me. Alexander thumped my back with his paw. Marco clambered onto my lap. Leif Bearickson rumbled, deep-voiced with happiness.

We talked late into the night. Oh, the stories I had to tell! All about New York City, and meeting a governor, and traveling on airplanes. The bears listened and nodded and laughed in all the right places.

"But what about Santa?" asked Franklin. "What about our list, what about our Christmas?"

I took a deep breath. Yes, I would have to tell the bears about my visit with Santa - but I would tell them about my e-mail solution, too!

The furry bear faces grew solemn as I told how I forgot what to say during my visit with Santa. Oh! Little Marco looked so disappointed! Still, everyone brightened up when I explained how I had sent Santa an e-mail from the airplane.

"Bears," said Alexander, "I suggest we give Santa one more hint! Let's go down to the Christmas tree and wait for Santa to arrive."

"All of us?" squeaked Molly. "Even those of us without joints?" You see, it's very difficult for unjointed bears to move about! Not that it's easy for any bear to walk, but joints do make it easier.

"All of us!" said Alexander, firmly. "We will go downstairs and wait for Santa. That way, we can remind him if he's forgotten to bring us a Christmas gift!" The bears nodded agreement. We were on our way.

The Bears Make A Bow Tie Rope

I'm surprised we didn't wake the whole household! Off came our bow-ties! We knotted the bow-ties into a long rope. With many squeaks of alarm, we climbed down the bow-tie rope from our bookcase. Careful! Look out! Leif Bearickson, the biggest and bravest bear, had to jump down last, without any help!

"Shhhh!" ordered Alexander. We tiptoed down the hall. Past the guest room, where Grandma Carrie and Grandpa Keith were sleeping. Past the room where Auntie Kaye was sleeping. Past the room where Miss Cynthia and Doctor Steve slept. I could hear Doctor Steve snoring!

Now, the stairs. Most bears slithered down on their tummies! A few did cartwheels down the staircase. Silly Gus jumped most of the way to the floor.

Perry's Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree glowed before us. It was beautiful! We walked and wiggled closer to the tree. There were the stockings - and look! They were still empty! Good! Santa hadn't come yet!

Alexander directed us all toward the sofa. Amerigo, a very nimble jointed bear, made his way up to the sofa seat. The bow-tie rope was wrapped around him. He untied it, and soon all the bears were clambering up onto the sofa. Alexander and I were last. We had to push the bigger bears from behind!

Finally, we were all together on the sofa. I began to yawn. What a long day it had been. Would we see Santa Claus? Would he bring us some Christmas gifts? I closed my eyes and relaxed after my long, hard climb. As I drifted to sleep, I could hear gentle snores from all the other exhausted bears.

The house on the hill was very, very quiet.

Ewer Bears Christmas

Suddenly, it was morning! Miss Cynthia stood before us, hands on hips. "Fellows, how did you get down here?" Miss Cynthia's hair was mussed. She was wearing brand new pajamas. I rubbed my eyes - yes, those were white bears on her pajamas!

All around me, the bear family was yawning and stretching and making smacking noises. Suddenly, Rudy squeaked! "Look! Look, everybody!" he said, pulling on furry arms at random, "Presents!"

Presents! I rubbed my eyes with my paws, and looked again. Yes, presents, and they were for us! Santa hadn't forgotten the bear family, not at all. I started to snuffle, and then to cry. I was so happy! Santa did love us, even if I had forgotten what to say!

Miss Cynthia smiled. "Looks like there have been some very good bears this year!" she said. It was a scene of bear pandemonium. The bears clambered and tussled over the gifts. Alexander had to raise his voice!

Soon, we'd sorted everyone out, matching each gift to each bear. The excited bears tore open the pretty packages. Books and toys came tumbling out, every one intended for a special bear.

Perry's Christmas Gift

My gift? It was very, very special - a new nightshirt and nightcap. Best of all, my new nightshirt matched Miss Cynthia's pajamas!

I snuggled happily in Miss Cynthia's arms. There would be many happy moments on Christmas Day, but the very, very best moment was happening right now.

Merry Christmas, bear friends!

Perry Bear Ewer