Brown Bear's magic song

"We must do something;" said Susie Puppet, "everyone is so sad and miserable in Sunnytown."

Brown Bear sighed. "What can we in the Toyshop do, Susie? Even the happy Toymaker has stopped singing and the children don't come to see us any more."
They all blamed the Weather Witch next door.

It was winter in Sunny town and the King had a bad cold. He had told the Witch to bring a warm spring at once, but she had forgotten the magic spell that did it.

The angry King had said he would put her in a black hole under the palace if she didn't remember soon.

When she returned to Sunny town from the palace, the Witch said she would turn anyone who made noise into a frog. She needed quiet to remember her spell.

"I hate frogs," said Brown Bear, and all the toys became silent and unhappy. "I have an idea," hooted Toy Train suddenly.

"Never mind the stupid Witch; we must do something to cheer up the Town. Brown Bear has written a happy little song. Let's all learn it and have a parade of toys around Sunny town with music and singing. If everyone joins in, the Weather Witch can't turn all of us into frogs."

All were agreed and they started work. The dolls made fancy dress, Brown Bear taught them his song, the others polished the train and the toy cars and wound up the musical boxes.

When they were ready, Brown Bear threw open the toyshop doors and off they trooped with music and laughter into quiet, empty streets. Brown Bear sang his song loudly.

"Ding-a-ding ding, who needs spring?
Sunshine grows from the tips of our toes
And spreads everywhere
When we sing, sing, sing."

Up and down the street children came running, excited to see the march of the toys. "Stop it!" shrieked a sudden loud voice. It was the Weather Witch and she was angry. She pointed a magic wand at Brown Bear. "You sing like a frog," she hissed, "so now you can be one." All closed their eyes.

"Just a minute," snapped the Witch. "Where did you get that song?"

"I wrote it," mumbled a scared Brown Bear. "I saw a song like it in one of your old books and I changed it around with new words."

"That's it," shouted the Witch, "that's my spell!" She pointed her wand up at the clouds.

"Abraca tring!
Come back spring!
West winds blow and drive away snow,
Sun, spread flowers and make the birds sing."

Suddenly the sun shone through a small patch of blue sky, a warm breeze blew down the street, and on a rooftop, a bird began to sing.

"Hurrah!" cheered the townsfolk, and off they all marched again, singing and dancing to the palace to tell the King. The King was delighted.

"What a lovely surprise," he said, "you've all made a Spring Carnival for me. All of Sunny town must come to the palace for a tea party. "

The toys were very pleased with themselves. Brown Bear thought he even saw - just for a second - a little smile on the face of the Weather Witch.