Panda and Snowdrop by Karin Taylor

Look, said the creature, its large black orbs solemn in the black-and-white patchwork of its face. I bought this at the mall today. Week-after-Thanksgiving-sales and all that. Got it for a bargain. Cubs kept whining for one. What do you think?

Hmmm, his wife murmured, and she lightly scratched her muzzle with a clawed paw. Quite larger than I thought. Did they only come life-size?

Absolutely, replied the panda. The salesclerk assured me that life-size was best. Lifetime warranty. Hair does not fall out for ages. Keeps all its teeth for years. Like any other toy, of course you can expect the usual damages after the usual bearhandling. In fact, I payed a pretty penny extra, because he said her hair has been dyed at the zoo.

True, nodded his wife. Does it speak and walk like they do in the commercials?

Absolutely, he said. Look, look! And he tickled the girl, and she jumped, and glared at him, and ran away.

~Angreek87