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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
BEAR 55PB
“What do you think, Tante Margarete?” Richard Steiff held up a stuffed bear. “His arms and legs move. He’s soft and cuddly mohair.”
Richard’s creative aunt who’d been paralyzed by polio as a toddler had against all odds, founded Steiff Manufacturing in 1880. Her felt elephants and other animals were favorites of thousands of German children.
She took the bear in her arms. “He is darling. But will he sell?”
“May I enter him in the Leipzig toy trade fair?”
“Viel Glück.”
Margarete’s question was answered in 1903 when an American trader ordered 3,000 bears and renamed them Teddy Bear.
*viel glück – good luck in German
Conflicting stories abound when it comes to the Teddy Bear named for President Theodore Roosevelt. This one seems feesible to me. CLICK HERE to learn more about this remarkable woman.
CLICK HERE if you’d like to read the other side of the Teddy Bear’s history. I don’t propose to know which story is true. One thing is for sure and certain and that’s the popularity of the Teddy bear.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Cute but I did see that ending coming from the name Steiff
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Dear Neil,
That’s one of us. I’d not heard of the Steiffs. Thanks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story
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Thank you, Sadje. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome
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Marvellous isn’t it. That toy has brought untold amounts of comfort and pleasure to children everywhere around the world.
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Dear Amanda,
I love it. My middle son had a very special bear he named Melissa. It was one of his first Christmas presents. She had a windup music box inside. She had to have her nose sewn back on a time or two and her eyes are scratched up. The much loved bear now resides with my son’s eldest daughter.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s fascinating the names of things that have travelled through the generations but the origins we know little about. I couldn’t imagine life without a Teddy.
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Dear Tannille,
The humorous part is that, reportedly, Theodore Roosevelt didn’t care much for the nickname. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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But his legend lives on!
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Who says both stories can’t be true? The one you linked to says it started in 1902. The one you fictionalized is 1903. Perhaps someone else wanted to cash in on the trend before the original ones could manufacture enough and so bought those 3000 bears in Germany.
Anyway, a great story. I guess some people who can’t use their body instead use their brain.
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Dear Trent,
Good points. Thank you re my story. Margarete does deserve her own story, doesn’t she? She was an amazing woman.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Nicely told. My children had a small mountain of teddy bears and stories for each one. Such treasures for the imagination. And comfort buddies! Thank you Tante Margarete 🙂
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
I have a friend who inherited a huge collection of Teddy Bears from her father and she’s added a few of her own. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
Great story and background information. I guess we all had and loved a Teddy Bear in our lives, some of us still do. I enjoyed this.
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Dear James,
I don’t recall having a Teddy bear as a child. I did have a stuffed monkey that I slept with. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story. How many children have had best-friend Teddy’s over all these years!
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Dear Linda,
There’s something so warm and wonderful about a Teddy bear, isn’t there? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed there is. I still have a stuffed bunny sitting on top of my jewelry case. Makes me smile 🙂
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The little bear in the picture at the end is one of mine. He’s a miniature. He makes me smile. 😀 I’ve never outgrown my toys. Never will.
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I don’t see why both stories couldn’t be true, but I like your version. These days they aren’t as often bears (I think only one or 2 of the 200+ in my house are), but they still bring joy, comfort and companionship when it is most needed.
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Dear Jen,
There are most likely elements of truth in both stories. At any rate, the Teddy Bear is over 100 years old. Thank you re my version. I love stuffed animals myself. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story. I wasn’t aware of the history of the Teddy Bear.
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Dear Jan,
NOw you are. You’re welcome. 😉 Happy Birthday!
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Dear Shelley Bear W(T)F,
A little known fact – they were originally going to call them Russell Bears, but the name was too difficult for small children to pronounce and often came out “Wuthel Bare.” I imagine one would look quite cute dressed as a mime and lounging casually next to your menorah.
Happy Hanukkah,
Wuthel
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Dear Wuthel,
I’m picturing the Wuthel Bare. It’s not pretty but it’s amusing. BTW we did get your Christmas newsletter. I miss your faces in the envelope.
Shalom,
Mewwy Chwithmath,
Shewwey Bear W(T)F
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I am a bear fan, my children received Steiff bears and that tradition has carried on since. It is really great how you provide so many links to further information.
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Dear Michael,
Glad you enjoyed the story and the bears. Happy Christmas.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Regardless of the Roosevelt connection, or even her disability, Margarete’s story is impressive. Building a business empire from home is an accomplishment for anyone. Overcoming the painful, restricted use of her right hand to become a successful seamstress, and overcoming being German to be happy and positive, are amazing in themselves.
Her story reminds me of the Rankin/Bass Santa Claus story. Thank you for sharing another snapshot of history with us, Rochelle. It was fun and educational. I never would have guessed that Gretle was a truncation of Margarete.
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Steiff is still a household name around here, they make the best stuffed animals. Lovely story, a few years back there was a movie about Margarete on German TV (psst: it’s Glück)
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Dear Gabi,
I wonder if the movie’s available with subtitles. Thank you re my story and I’m going to correct my spelling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t think it’s available with subtitles, I think it was made for TV… you can get it on Amazon https://www.amazon.de/Margarete-Steiff-Heike-Makatsch/dp/B09KGHD8Y3/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1191871259281330&hvadid=74492069763499&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=128479&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-74492156467049%3Aloc-72&hydadcr=27926_2279538&keywords=steiff+film&qid=1671047920&sr=8-1 – but I’m not certain if it is even available in the US.
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Thanks, Gabi. I followed the link but it won’t do me any good. It’s not available in the States. I appreciated the effort. Merry Christmas!
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Ah, too bad. Happy Hannukah
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I hope I spelled that right, I’m writing on the ipad, too clumsy… 😂
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I did a talk for the Ladies Group I belonged to entitled The Bear Necessities. Some people thought it was about budget (advertised as Bare Necessities by the secretary) so they were very surprised it was about Teddy Bears. I remember this as part of my research, and Mini the Pooh, the smallest jointed teddy bear in the world. I wish I could find my notes as it would make an interesting post.
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Dear Di,
It does sound like a fascinating presentation. I can imagine the surprise though. Amazing what one little misspell or typo can do.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle.
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Perfect story for this time of year, Rochelle. Thank you for using one of my photos ❤
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you for sharing such an interesting photo. 😀 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you and you’re very welcome. ❤
Shalom,
Lisa
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Thank you Rochelle for this delightful story on Teddy bears. Don’t we all need a bear to hug and comfort us at times, when no-one else is around.
Just finished reading, finally, Andrea Wulz’s biography on Humbolt. The last chapter being the founding of Yosemite National Park by Roosevelt and Muir. Very thorough and well documented book with beautiful engravings and coloured pictures by the scientists themselves and contemporary artists on Humbolt’s, Thoreau’s, Marsh’s and Muir’s works on Nature.
Wishing you a joyful festive week.
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Dear Susan,
I’m a great fan of Theodore Roosevelt and of Teddy Bears. I still enjoy stuffed animals. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My little granddaughter loves her Steiff bear, this will be an interesting story to tell her when she’s older!
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Thank you, Keith. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story, Rochelle.
My personal bear sits next to my stuffed lion on a book shelf only six feet away. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
I have stuffed bears and other animals all around my office. 😉 One never knows when one will need a cuddle. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And one must be prepared for the sudden appearance of elves disguised as human children and needing to borrow a “stufffy.” 🙂
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Thank you for introducing Margarete Steiff to us. A fascinating and inspiring woman. And, you wrote so well the story of the Teddy Bear! I learned a lot today! 🙂
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Dear Brenda,
Perhaps one day I’ll write another story that just centers around Margarete Steiff. She sounds like she was a person well worth knowing. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Who knew there was such conflict on the origins of the Teddy Bear? I like both stories, truth be told…
Shalom and lotsa snuggly love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’m at an all time late finishing up comments and replies. Hours away from the next prompt. Sigh. I agree…both stories are worthy. And you know my great love and admiration for Theodore Roosevelt. 😉
Shalom and lotsa warm snuggly hugs,
Rochelle
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No worries… just in time for this week’s! And yes, I would have thought you would have a slight more penchant for the Roosevelt version 😉
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I loved this.
Thanks for the history perspective too.
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Thank you, Chioma.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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so perfect for this time of year ❤
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😀 Thank you, Angela.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I knew the last part about the teddy bear and its success from that, but the first is new to me. thanks for telling it your way. (I love your way of telling it).
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Dear Dawn,
What a sweet comment/compliment. ❤ Sorry it's taken me so long to reply.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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… and i guess, the rest is history. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
I came very close to ending with that very line. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story, Rochelle, and better than the president’s version. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Fleur. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
I love this story especially her tenacity to start the company after being paralyzed. It’s very inspiring. Great writing, as always.
Have a great week!
David
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Dear David,
At some point I might have to zero in on the lady. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My gosh, I didn’t know this origin story to the good old teddy bear. Very cool. Good on her!
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