Created during the Encounter Workshops “Wildes Schreiben“ (wild writing) Summer 2025.
by Mara Cucu
I was in some shop. NO IDEA which one, but anyway. So, one day, an old woman saw me and
bought me. Now, don’t think it went anything like this: “Oh, what a nice little bear!” No, not
at all!
She looked around, and of course she didn’t see me at first. How could she, I was laying
somewhere in the furthest corner, but eventually she reached for me. I could tell that, at
first, she wanted to grab a plush kitten, but then I quickly jumped in front of her when she
wasn’t paying attention and looked at her with my beady eyes, and she chose me! I was
handled pretty roughly and wrapped up in some old, stinky, pink flowered wrapping paper.
At least, that’s how it seemed at first, but later, I saw the whole thing in a different light.
So, I was all packed up, and then it got dark around me! I was shaken and jostled, and then it
happened – I heard voices. Suddenly, someone ripped the paper away and took me in their
arms. It was a little girl, really, it was love at first sight. Soon after I got to know (or at least I
overheard) the girl’s brother Finn – her name was Lotta. Then they took an envelope, which
had somehow ended up on the packaging without me noticing, and read it.
We had a lot of fun for the rest of my life.
by Martha Rasche
I had been looking forward to this day for weeks, and today it had finally arrived.
Beaming with joy, I jumped out of bed and ran into the living room. There, waiting for
me, were Mom, Dad, and my younger brother Finn.
In their hands, they held a shiny banner that proclaimed in big letters: “HAPPY
BIRTHDAY, LOTTA.” Because today was the day of my 10th birthday — for me, the
most important one after my 9th.
They sang for me, and afterward, I began unwrapping a few presents.
One of them was from my grandmother, who lives in another city. Excited, I tore off
the pink, flower-covered wrapping paper.
Inside was a brown teddy bear, with a delicate pink ribbon tied around its neck.
It was love at first sight.
From that moment on, I knew without a doubt that we were going to have so much
fun together. I carefully lifted my new treasure out of the flowery packaging and
hugged it tightly to my chest. It felt perfect — as if we were meant for each other. I
was so happy that tears of joy streamed down my cheeks.
Only then did I notice the card that, in my excitement, had slipped to the floor. On it
was my name, written in my grandmother’s flowing handwriting: Lotta. Gently, I set
the bear down on one of the nearby navy-blue armchairs and opened the card.
Inside, it said:
Dearest Lotta,
I wish you all the best for your 10th birthday — you’re growing up so fast. When I saw
this bear in the shop around the corner, I immediately thought of you. He looked at
me with his big googly eyes, and I just thought: He’s the one. So I hope you have a
wonderful birthday together. I wish I could be there with you!
Your Gran.
I couldn’t thank my grandmother enough when I called her later, smiling from ear to
ear.
That evening, as I lay in bed with Teddy in my arms, I knew that this had been the best day of
my life.
Maybe even better than my 9th birthday.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
More...
About Wild Writing! / Über Wildes Schreiben!
Teddy Eine Geschichte Aus zwei Perspektiven (DE)
Infinite Dots A Kaleidoscope of Genres (EN) / Unendliche Punkte Ein Genre-Kaleidskop (DE) / Ursulet O poveste din două perspective (RO)
SLAM Gedicht (DE)
Watermelon Eine Knickgeschichte (DE/EN)
With many thanks for the generous support we received from:
