Homer Bear

Today is Teddy Bear Day At Peter Brown's school. Homer Bear is here And all his friends, too.

It's not very often, Homer hates to admit, When they all get together Just to laugh and to sit.

"These times are so special, But there's one I like best. It's the one I remember Above all the rest.

The most special time," Homer says with a smile, "Is when I fell In the garbage pile.

My friend, Peter, was busy With his teachers that day, And when I fell in the barrel No one noticed right away.

When Peter finally realized I had been misplaced, It seemed I had vanished Without leaving a trace."

"My Homer is missing," Peter said with a sob. "My bear has been stolen. I have been robbed."

Peter went to his teachers And the principal too, "I can't leave without Homer, Please help me, won't you?"

But no one told the janitor When he cleaned up the school To look out for Homer So he never knew.

When he emptied the baskets And barrels of trash He had no idea Of their teddy bear stash.

Into the dumpster Buried in deep, Poor orphaned Homer Alone in the heap.

"I miss my Peter, It's no fun alone." But Peter was already On the bus headed home.

In the meantime, the rubbish truck Was making its rounds, And the school parking lot Was where it was bound.

The dumpster was lifted High off the ground And when it was shaken Homer fell to the ground.

As Dave, the rubbish man, Drove the truck from the lot, He noticed poor Homer Lying alone in that spot.

When Dave picked up Homer, He knew right away, "You're such a good-looking teddy, I bet someone lost you today.

We'll have to wait till Monday, School is closed till then, But I have someone at home Who could sure use a friend.

When my work is finished I would like you to meet A little boy named Ben, Who is very, very sweet."

"Alright," thought Homer, "But it's Peter I miss. He is my best friend, Just remember this."

"Now, my work is finished," Dave said with a smile. "We can go home now. It's only a mile."

So, they drove along And Homer could hear Children laughing and Playing everywhere.

"What a nice neighborhood. I wish Peter were here. He'd be riding his bike, Like the kids over there.

Look at them laugh. They are having such fun On skateboards and wagons And some who just run.

Climbing trees, skipping rope," Homer strained for a peek. "Hopscotch and red light And hide-and-go-seek."

Homer thought, "But really, How can it be, That a boy on this street Needs a friend like me?"

Dave stopped the truck At a house with green trim. Then said to Homer, "It's time to meet him."

No bike in the yard, No scooter, no toys. "It's so quiet," thought Homer, "Who is this boy?"

Dave opened the door And they went inside. Dave said, "I'm home, And I have a surprise."

Homer thought to himself And waited to see, "Dave is talking to someone, And it isn't me."

Dave carried Homer And they walked down the hall, Past the lamps and pictures Hanging up on the wall.

Then they stopped in front Of a big brown door. "But I don't hear anyone," Homer thought once more.

Dave pushed open the door And they stepped inside. Homer opened his eyes Wider than wide. He took a deep breath And stared at the bed, "You have a surprise for me?" A soft voice said.

Peeking up from the covers With big blue eyes Was the someone Dave talked to Who was no more than five.

With a hopeful grin, A pale little boy, Reached out his arms To take his new toy.

Dave said, "Hold your horses," And he started to smile, "I found him today In the school rubbish pile.

I'm sure someone lost him And misses him too, But till Monday morning There's nothing else I can do.

Could he stay here with us, Ben, He seems kind of sad. Now what do you think?" Ben said, "Sure, Dad!"

Homer thought, "That's fine, It's okay for me, too, But come Monday morning I go right back to school."

In the meantime, poor Peter Was very upset. "Come on, now," said mother. "We'll find Homer yet."

"Peter, on Monday," Mom knelt down to speak, "I promise I'll search If it takes all week."

But Peter just sat there And stared at the floor And dreamed of Homer Coming through the front door.

For Peter the weekend Would just drag by, But Ben was so happy, Dave didn't need to ask why. "Oh, Dad," said Ben, "I like this bear." Dave put Homer down On the small wheelchair.

"No, Dad, right here," Said Ben patting the bed. "Can he sleep with me?" "Sure he can," Dad said.

Homer was speechless because This weak little boy, Really did need a friend And not a new toy.

As Homer laid there in bed, He looked all around, There were braces, a wheelchair, And medicines he found.

Ben squeezed Homer As tight as he could. Dad said, "Now rest. A nap would be good."

"I like my new friend. He's a good little bear." Ben closed his eyes And held Homer near.

Homer decided right then Before they both fell asleep, "When I get back to Peter, This friend we will keep."

All weekend long Homer stayed with Ben. They played GI Joe's and Army men.

They watched cartoons And you know what else, Ben told Homer secrets He always kept to himself.

"I wish one day, One day it'd be true, I could walk," said Ben, "I could walk with you.

We could go to the park, And ride on the swings, And run through the woods, As if we had wings. Would you pretend, Teddy Bear, As if it were true, That we'd always be best friends, Just me and you?"

Outside in the hall Dave stood and he heard, The dreams of his son, Yes, he heard every word.

"One day they will find," Said Dave with a tear, "A cure for you, son, And you'll walk without fear."

Back at home Peter waited, Finally his mother said, "It's Monday morning, Peter, Time to get out of bed."

Peter dressed up real quick And was ready to go. "I hope someone found Homer. I hope it's someone I know."

But in the house with green trim Ben wasn't so glad, "I don't want to go now. Do we have to, Dad?"

Dave said, "It's Monday And you know what I said. It's time to get moving And up out of bed."

From the house with green trim The car drove away, In silence they traveled To school that day.

Ben could see children running For the school bus, He hugged Homer and said, "I wish that were us."

They turned the next corner, Saw the school up ahead, "Will you visit me, Homer? Because I'll miss you," Ben said.

Peter and his mom Were already there. They were telling the secretary About the little lost bear.

"Let me call the janitor," The secretary said. Peter sat near the window And just shook his head.

"Mother," said Peter As he kicked the chair, "I don't think we'll find Homer Bear anywhere."

Peter stared outside. It was a cloudy day. His friends were calling Him out to play.

He shook his head, "no." He wanted to wait inside. He didn't feel much like going On the swings for a ride.

Dave parked the car, It was quarter to nine. Ben said to Homer, "I wish you were mine."

Into the wheelchair Dave put Homer and Ben While the kids on the playground, Kept staring at them.

From the office window Mother could see, The kids watching something But what could it be.

A man pushed a wheelchair And to her surprise, A boy sat with Homer — She couldn't believe her eyes.

She knelt down to Peter And softly said, "Someone's coming to meet you." And Peter turned his head.

She pointed outside. He saw the wheelchair, And in it was someone Holding Homer his bear.

He went to jump up And run for the door But mother said, "Wait, Let's talk some more.

I know you miss Homer And you're happy right now, But the boy in the wheelchair Found Homer somehow.

Peter, just look at that boy, Holding Homer so tight. We must be careful To do what is right.

Before you take your bear, Let's try and find out, Just why they're together. They're friends now, no doubt."

Peter thought for a second, "Mother is right. Look at that boy Holding Homer so tight."

Dave pushed the chair Across the hall floor. Peter stood waiting At the office door.

Peter looked down At the boy in the chair. Then Ben said to Peter, "Is this your teddy bear?"

Ben held out Homer So Peter could see. "Yes, it's my Homer. Could you give him to me?"

Then Ben said to Peter, "I like him a lot. I wish I could keep him, But I guess I cannot."

Peter held onto Homer And looked down at Ben, Looking so sad, Like he'd lost his best friend.

Then the small little boy Who sat in the chair, Said, "Good-bye, teddy, We'll meet again somewhere."

Ben turned his head And Dave pushed him away. Peter said, "Wait, I have something to say."

He looked at his mother, And she nodded "yes." "I have an idea, A way out of this mess."

Dave said, "Now, tell me, What do you mean? He belongs to you. The teddy is yours it seems."

"But, what if," said Peter, "I could share him with Ben? Homer and I could visit Every now and then."

Ben said, "Oh yes, Dad, Do you think they could Come visit with us Because I think they should."

Dave said to Peter, "You'd be willing to share? That's very generous of you, And I think it's fair."

Peter's mother was smiling And Dave turned to say, "You have a fine young man. You should be so proud today."

Then the little boy said, "Hi, my name is Ben." Peter knelt down with Homer, And gave him back his new friend.

THE END

© Sharen W. Robertson. All rights reserved.