Short Stories: Bethel, the Pocket Polar Bear

Etsy.com handmade and vintage goods
everyeskimo

Story by everyeskimo

Published on June 11, 2012 in Read

Here at Etsy, we believe that the story behind an object is often just as fascinating as the object itself. Short Stories is our series dedicated to telling the tales behind extraordinary pieces found or created by Etsy sellers. 

Today, Regina of oh, albatross shares the tale of Bethel, the uncertain pocket polar bear.

Well, of course Bethel has her own personality and her own story to tell. All the pocket bears do. And I think in some way, their stories are small aspects of my own personality. Sometimes they are foot-stampers and arm-crossers (particularly when served something like eggplant). Sometimes they demand china teacups and buttered crumpets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And sometimes they are quiet dreamers who might spend their days up in a tree watching the leaves dance.

Bethel is full of indecision (okay, I am full of indecision). She has high hopes and big dreams. But deciding which direction to go first makes her feel wobbly deep in her fluffy belly. So long as she doesn’t choose, all directions are possible. When standing underneath two trees, she’s uncertain which she’d like to scale first. She often finds herself at a crossroads, scratching her head in thought…even if it’s just a crossroad between licorice and lemon drops. It’s best to offer Bethel just one choice, or you might find yourself waiting for an uncertain amount of time.

I like to think that each one of the pocket bears is a character in development. This is who they are today, but they will find a new home, and be surrounded by new people, and their stories will change. Bethel may learn that just because she chooses a road today, it doesn’t mean she can’t wander a new road tomorrow.

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