Billingsly: The Bear with the Crinkled Ear

By E. R. Braithwaite

A little girl and an extraordinary teddy bear share the secrets of a wondrous, sometimes puzzling world in this charming children’s tale that celebrates diversity, from the acclaimed author of the schoolroom classic To Sir, With Love
Lisbeth has a new best friend, her toy bear, Billingsly, who has one perfectly formed ear that is ideal for hearing what goes on in the world around him. But with his left ear, which is misshapen, he listens to Lisbeth alone. When she speaks into Billingsly’s crinkled ear, Billingsly speaks back, though he’ll talk to no one but Lisbeth because adults would never listen to him the way she does, and other children tend to shun him because he is different. When Lisbeth is in school, Billingsly enjoys adventures from his perch on the windowsill in her bedroom with animals roaming the outside world and magical creatures like the Tooth Fairy and the other bear in the mirror. But his greatest adventures take place when he is in Lisbeth’s arms, for nothing is more magical than a little girl’s love.
Filled with wit and wonder, Billingsly is the tale of an extraordinary friendship that is sure to enchant children of all ages, and adults who are young at heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Media
• Release date: Jan 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781480457454

E. R. Braithwaite

E. R. Braithwaite was born in British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1912. Educated at the City College of New York and the University of Cambridge, he served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Braithwaite spent 1950 to 1960 in London, first as a schoolteacher and then as a welfare worker—experiences he described in To Sir, With Love and Paid Servant, respectively. In 1966 he was appointed Guyana’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations. He also held positions at the World Veterans Federation and UNESCO, was a professor of English at New York University’s Institute for Afro-American Affairs, taught creative writing at Howard University, and was the author of five nonfiction books and two novels. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 104.  

Book preview

Chapter

     One

MR. BILLINGS WAS WORRIED. He was late leaving his office and still had two errands to run before taking the railway to be home in time for his daughter’s birthday party: he now had only to collect her birthday cake from the bakery, then hurry to the toy shop for her gift.

Lisbeth, his six-year-old daughter, wanted a teddy-bear. He had seen one in the window of Blake’s Toy Shop on Main Street a few days ago, and now, as he hurried to the bakery, he hoped it was still there.

Luckily, both the bakery and toy shop were within easy walking distance and, if he hurried, he would not be late. At the bakery, the cake was packed and ready. With the box under his arm he walked quickly to the toy shop. The teddy-bear was still in the window.

I’d like to buy a teddy-bear, he said to the saleslady who was standing behind the counter.

I’m sorry, she replied. We’ve sold all our bears. Someone bought the last one this morning. However, I expect we’ll have some more early next week.

Oh, no! he exclaimed. That would be much too late. I need one now. I promised my little daughter I’d get her one today. It’s her birthday, you see.

Oh, I’m sorry, the saleslady said. However, there’s another toy shop on River Road. It’s not far, just about ten minutes from here. Maybe you can get one there.

That won’t do, he told her. There’s not enough time. I don’t want to miss my train. What about that one in the window?

That one’s not for sale, the saleslady said.

Why not? he asked.

It has a fault and we’re returning it to the factory, she explained.

What kind of fault? It looks perfectly fine to me, he said.

The saleslady took a key and opened the shop window. She picked up the teddy-bear and handed it to him.

One ear is crooked, as you can see, she said. It may have happened when it was made or when it was packed to be sent to us. Whenever we receive a toy with a fault we return it to the factory and they send us a replacement.

Mr. Billings turned the bear over and over in his hand, noticing that it was perfect except for the right ear which was curled inward. He pulled the ear straight, but as soon as he released it, it again curled back upon itself.

What an odd little fellow, he said, smiling. Would you sell him to me? I really don’t mind the fault.

Of course, the saleslady said. It will be five dollars cheaper because of the fault. However, if your little girl does not like him, bring him back and as soon as we have some others I will replace him for you.

She fetched a box into which she carefully packed the bear, then wrapped it into an attractive parcel. He paid her and was soon on his way to the railway station.

I do hope Lisbeth likes her teddy-bear, he thought as he settled into his seat for the ride home. After all, except for the oddly curled ear, it was a lovely little bear.

At home his wife was busily preparing for their daughter’s birthday party. Several of Lisbeth’s young neighbours and school friends had been invited and the living room was gaily decorated with bunting and balloons. A large table, covered with a colourful tablecloth, was in the centre of the room, already set with paper cups and plates and a funny hat for each guest.

When Mr. Billings arrived home he gave his wife the cake, Lisbeth heard him at the door and rushed to greet him. He picked her up and she kissed him, asking anxiously, Did you bring my teddy-bear, Daddy?

Yes, here it is, he replied, but it is not to be opened until it is time to open all your gifts. Laughing happily, Lisbeth ran to put the parcel beside her other gifts.

While her Daddy went upstairs to wash up, Lisbeth helped her Mummy to unpack the cake and place