Mohammed by any other name.

Paul Martin, Sark, Channel Islands, Channel Islands

THE COMMON CORMORANT

The common cormorant (or shag)
Lays eggs inside a paper bag,
You follow the idea, no doubt?
It's to keep the lightning out.

But what these unobservant birds
Have never thought of, is that herds
Of wandering bears might come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.

-- Christopher Isherwood
With due acknowledgement to the copyright holder

Jonathan Bradshaw, Cambridge,

Someone should send these photos to the Sudanese government for distribution to the raving mobs who wanted to kill Gillian Gibbons: maybe then they would understand just how well-loved and respected teddy bears are in Western culture - so much so they're given pride of place as trusty travelling companions and are viewed as lucky charms!

It's a funny cultural quirk from an outsider's point of view, I suppose...

MB, Edinburgh,

The cormorant or common shag lays eggs inside a paper bag,
But, what this unobservant bird does not know, is that
Herds of wandering bears with buns will steal the bags to hold the crumbs!
anon - (at least I think so)

Jill, london,

Don't send the teddy bear to the Sudan, for God's sake.

Laura Roberts, London, UK

Yeah, it was indeed "The wonderful world of Amelie"

Great bears!

Claudia, Liverpool,

I agree with Hotspur, lighten up Benja. We have visited Syds web site what a lucky bear.
3 of my bears have their own passports and regularly travel with me. But they are shy and like to kip down in their rooms! Horace ( he did Sri Lanka last year) is going with us to Sydney for christmas, will make sure his photo gets taken on the bridge. Alas too late for the competition. But watch out Benja!

Becca, Banbury, Oxon

Becca, Banbury, Oxon,

This reminds me of a story a few years ago when someone stole a garden gnome from someones house and then took it round the world taking pictures at famous landmarks and then sending them back as postcards to the OWNER!

It was a great story and one that made me chuckle.

Tariq Iqbal, Peterborough, UK

C'mon Benja, lighten up!

SYD RULES!

Hotspur, London,

Where is our picture of Jockey bear completing the West coast Trtail in BC Canada? He travelled from Australia to hike it

simon Barwick, melbourne,

Gosh, I think it's meant to be a bit of light hearted fun....and I think it is, made me smile anyway!!

Victoria, London,

WHAT A BORE!
Syd the bear is completely naff…
I mean honestly – It might be slightly entertaining if it was even a remotely original idea...

Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s gnome from the film 'Amelie' was elegantly executed and far more poignant.

thanks

Benja (Sydney, Australia)

Benja, Sydney,