TEDDY MAC, BORIS AND THE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Teddy Mac and the Railway Bears were watching a DVD about Model Railways.

 "I wish WE could go to see a Model Railway Exhibition" said Mai Won Too. Teddy Mac looked at Jean Claude. "Can I take them all to see the one at Pecorama?" he asked.  "Of course you can " said Jean Claude, "and here is a map so that you don’t get lost."

   That evening, the bears waited for the pump trolley. At last Humphrey’s hard yellow hat popped out of the nearest mole hill. "As it’s night time, we’ll have to use the slide that is hidden behind the door in the Sun Garden," he said.

 Once they arrived in the Sun Garden, Teddy Mac, Dai and Owen, set off, jumping  down the ivy patterned steps, one after the other.  "This is where the slide starts" said Humphrey, knocking on a huge wooden door. But as it swung open, all they could hear was a dreadful wailing.

   Teddy Mac and the others took a step back. Only Humphrey walked forwards. "Oh it’s you, Boris!"  Boris didn’t look much like a badger. He was rolled up into a tight little ball. and he didn’t look very happy.

The other Bears squeezed past him, only Teddy Mac stopped to ask "What’s the matter? "I’m homeless!" he sobbed, " and I’ve already been in trouble for digging up the paths!"  Teddy Mac thought for a moment and then he took out his map. "What about trying somewhere else?" he asked. "Maybe near the Bunny Brother’s burrow or perhaps a new set near the Marble Mine?"

   Boris wiped his face. "That sounds good. How do I get there?" Teddy Mac looked at his map and then he looked back at Boris. "Take this," he said, giving him the map. "But you need it!" replied Boris.

 "Not as much as you do," said Teddy Mac.  "And if you have any trouble, follow the footsteps in the Car Park." Giving Boris a hug, he watched him go. 

Teddy Mac felt his way to the top of the slide "I’m coming," he shouted.

      At the bottom of the slide it was very dark, but Teddy Mac remembered where the big lever was for turning on the lights and starting up the trains. Suddenly all the lights came on and there was a buzzing and a clunking as the Exhibition sprang into life.

   "OH BRILLIANT," shouted the bears as they ran from one layout to another.

It didn’t take long to find Dai, Owen and David, but Teddy Mac couldn’t find Mai Won Too anywhere. Because he didn’t have a map, it was difficult to find his way around. The others were far too busy looking at the train layouts to notice that Mai Won Too was missing. It was only when Teddy Mac heard the sound of snoring that he discovered Mai Won Too asleep in a corner. "WAKE UP!" he shouted. "It’s so late we’ll have to go!"

  It was almost light when the bears found  a large mole hill at the back of one of the cupboards. They were wondering what to do when Humphrey appeared. "You have to come with me!" he said. " Ambrose wants to see you." Teddy Mac’s heart thumped loudly.  He remembered Ambrose, the snake on the path, but he felt a little scared of him. The bears followed Humphrey through the tunnels, until they arrived at the Mole Lift which took them up to the Grotto. Teddy Mac screwed up his eyes when he heard Ambrose hiss. He was sure that he was going to be in trouble.  But Ambrose was friendly. "Don’t be afraid," he said. "I have something to give you!" 

Teddy Mac opened his eyes  as Ambrose gave him a Gold Star Marble.

"This is for helping others," hissed Ambrose. "You have earned it."  "Oh, thank you!" said Teddy Mac, holding it up for everyone to see. "It’s the same colour as the Great Marble of Beer. It will be like having a pocket full of sunshine all year round!"

"Now, that gives me an idea for a painting," said Mai Won Too. "So it does," said Teddy Mac and after everyone cheered, the Railway Bears went home.

Margaret Edmonds © 2010