Page 36 - Oz Kids in Print, Issue 1, 2020

Taming the Night

Prologue bike basket, being the helmsman and The only problem? It was last year’s bear
navigating the treacherous route to the and they were out completely out of stock.
Dear Jess, shops, and then protecting our bike while Dad pleaded with a staff member on the
This was my favorited Night Teddy when I I was with mum. All was well, until some cancer helpline and she, understanding the
was young – the bear that I truly believed no-good walker-by plucked him from my severity of the situation, went around the
tamed the night just to protect me. Since we basket and stole him away from me. I was whole office and found one on someone’s
moved, he’s just been sitting in a box, not devastated, tears rolled down my cheeks desk. One generous donation later, dad
seeing much of night or day, so I thought (with the sense of grief felt by all family was off from work and picking up the bear
you might like him. There’s a story behind it; members). Despite looking everywhere, from their head office.
I hope the meaning might make you smile. under my bike, down the street and in
the shop, we couldn’t find him, and I Of course, my parents couldn’t tell me this.
Your friend always, started to panic. great efforts were made No, Night Teddy had simply gone to visit
Miranda to find him as everyone understood his his brother who had just got his credentials
importance to me. Mum knew what to do, to become a Night Bear himself. his
The reason I thought my night teddy came she discreetly called Dad and told him to changed clothes into ‘Sunday best’ because
alive at night was the reason I needed one, pick up another Cancer Council Bear on of his brother’s graduation ceremony
I had a vivid, and sometimes overactive, his way home from work, turns out the star (so no alarm bells went off for me). My
wonderful imagination. At four, I was the is also a daffodil. teddy just wanted to see his older sibling
type of kid who could come up with a story graduate and Dad had found him on the
in a second but alone in the dark; every train coming back home. Although I was
creak became a terrible monster and each thrilled to see my bear, I wasn’t happy at
shadow a threat. Mum was out of ideas, him running away. For about three months
telling me these things weren’t real but after, he was tied to my bed with a piece of
it didn’t make me feel any better, so string like some sort of prisoner.
she had to beat my brain at its own
game! Although this he is my oldest and
dearest friend, I feel you Jess might
Along came night teddy: a rare take better care of him now. From
creature who woke at night to his once blank canvas emerged a
watch over a chosen child. All Night persona that suited me perfectly, I
Teddies got their power from the star hope the same happens for you. I
on their foot, which they could use am sure you will love and care for
not only to keep their kid safe, but him (which I am truly grateful), and
also to talk to their child’s imagination he in return will show you your inner
and help them think of happier things. strength.
When darkness hit and my brain
started to slink away from Just remember: the
me, conjuring beasts special bond of
and worries, night a bear can last
teddy told me a lifetime. A
n o t t o b e childhood
scared or sad, b e a r
instead just can sit
talk to him. proudly
By telling on a very
him my fears grown up bed
and squeezing and office desk or secretly hidden
his stomach (which away in a suitcase when we embark
he assured me didn’t hurt, he on a new adventure. Only time will
worked out at the gym and tell if Night Teddy stays with you
was quite ripped), he could or needs to move on. But what
tame my imagination. we both know is he will never
be lost or stolen in your care.
By 5 he was also my day
teddy – he went everywhere By Miranda Plowman
with me, to school, the Year 10, Virtual School Victoria
park and to my friends. he THORNBURY – VIC.
especially liked riding in my Teacher: Heloise Bamks

36 Oz Kids in Print