Teddy story wins award

Peninsula resident Mr Keith Whitfield has won an honourable mention for his entry in a teddy bear short story competition judged by Peninsula News editor Mr Mark Snell.

The competition was run by Radio 50 Plus and judged at a Teddy Bears' Picnic at the station's premises in Gosford on July 13.

Here is the story:

"I didn't have a teddy bear, but I saw two swisho dolls the girl who lived in the bush had.

"I suggested to my mates we pinch them. Scorn was dished on me.

"Only girls and sissies had dolls. So I had to fight meaner to restore my reputation.

"I noticed a girl who lived streets away had a ginger coloured teddy bear, bright shiny new, with cute brown beady eyes.

"I had to have it.

"I tried to swap, my best marbles, a catapult, my cicada collection, which included a rare Black Prince.

"But no, she shook her silly head.

"I brooded and waited.

"Years later, I asked her to bring along her old teddy bear.

"She said, 'On our honeymoon, Whatever for?'

"'I'm sentimental.' I said.

"'It's something that will always remind me of you.''"

Keith Whitfield, July 13