Teddy Bear

Before I even had a name, I knew I was meant to be a friend. Imagine being made of soft, fuzzy fur, with shiny buttons for eyes and a smile stitched right onto your face. My only job was to be a warm, cuddly companion for someone to hug. Do you know who I am? I am the Teddy Bear! My story begins with a very important and brave man, a president of the United States named Theodore Roosevelt. His friends called him “Teddy.” On a cool day, November 14th, 1902, President Roosevelt went on a hunting trip in a forest in Mississippi. During the trip, he was shown a small bear cub that had been captured. He looked at the little bear and refused to harm it. He knew that being strong and powerful also meant you should be kind and gentle, especially to those who are smaller than you. That one moment of kindness was my beginning.

News of the president’s gentle act traveled fast. A man named Clifford Berryman, who drew pictures for the newspaper, heard the story. He drew a cartoon showing President Roosevelt turning away from the little bear, refusing to hurt it. On November 16th, 1902, his drawing appeared in the newspaper for everyone across the country to see. All the way in Brooklyn, New York, a man named Morris Michtom and his wife, Rose, saw the cartoon while working in their candy shop. They were so inspired! It gave them a wonderful idea. Rose took soft cloth and sewed it into the shape of a bear, stuffing it to make it cuddly. Morris gave it button eyes, just like mine. In February of 1903, they placed the little stuffed animal in their shop window with a very special name. They called it “Teddy’s Bear.” Mr. Michtom even wrote a letter to President Roosevelt to ask for his permission to use his name, and the president happily said yes!

I was a star right from the start! Children who passed the candy shop saw me in the window and immediately wanted a fuzzy friend of their very own. Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Michtom were so busy making bears like me that they started a whole new company just to make enough for all the children who wanted one. Since that first day in 1903, my teddy bear brothers and sisters have traveled all across the world. We have become a symbol of comfort, friendship, and the wonderful kindness that first inspired us. We listen to secrets, go on amazing adventures, and give the best hugs. So every time you hold a teddy bear close, remember that you are sharing in a story of gentleness that has been passed down for over a hundred years, connecting friends one hug at a time.