Mondstaub
Legacy Name: Mondstaub

I am Mondstaub (German for Moon Dust), the first lost teddy bear.

While visiting a Christmas market, my child dropped me. For weeks, I laid in the snow wishing to be rescued. One night, I heard a voice from above.

“What are you?” asked a little golden-winged creature.

I was surprised someone noticed I was there. Trying to suppress a tear, I replied “I am a teddy bear. Have you never seen one before?”

The creature shook its head. “No. I am a Pixie. It is my first time that I am allowed to come out of my village, where we stay hidden from humans.”

She then asked: “Why are you on the ground?” Tears dripped down my nose, freezing almost instantly.

“My child lost me when she came here with her parents. I thought she would come back for me; but, I’ve waited a long time. I think I’ve been abandoned. I won’t be able to find another home.”

She questioned: “Why not?”Surprised she asked, I exclaimed: “Well, look at me! Who would pick me, all dirty and soggy, when there are so many new and pretty toys around?”

The pixie thought for a few moments. “Even if I clean you up, you seem a bit old compared to the others. Perhaps you could benefit from something to make you stand out.”
Curious at the possibility of becoming something else, I enquired: “What do you have in mind?”

She shrugs, “I don’t know, I’m new here. What would you like?”Her golden wings glimmered in the moonlight. “How about some pretty wings like yours?”

She smiled at me. “Sure! Magic is one of my favorite things to do!” With a twitch of her nose, I started moving my limbs, I was no longer dirty, and I felt something sprout out of my back: a pair of golden wings.

Before I could thank her, a deep voice resonated behind us: “What have you done?” We turned around to see an older pixie. I tried to explain. However, before I could utter a word, the older pixie raised his hand and motioned to stop. Addressing the younger pixie, he told her: “You should know better than to give pixie wings to a creature.”

She blushed and looked at the ground: “I, I thought we were here to do good deeds and she looked so sad.”

The older one sighed. “You’ve created a new type of pixie, which we’re not supposed to do. What am I going to do with the both of you?”

His ears twitched as if he heard a voice from afar. He grinned and then addressed the younger pixie: “Since it’s your first day and your intention was good, we will let the teddy bear keep its wings. However, by creating another pixie, it is your responsibility to watch over and assist your newfound friend.”

Looking in my direction, he wiggled his nose whereupon my wings became the color of my fur. He told me: “You are now a pixie in training. You will have to earn your golden wings.”

Confused, I nodded. “What does that mean?”

Smiling, he explained: “Pixies are there to remind others to keep the spirit of Christmas awake throughout the year by doing deeds that help others.”

“How shall I do this?” I asked. Looking at the both of us, he told us: “We think there’s potential to help more forgotten teddy bears. You two shall collect as many as you can find and, if possible, return them to their children. If not, they shall have a warm safe place here.” He showed me a small treasure box. He told us: “Although small, it can expand. Since it can become heavy when you’ll have accumulated new friends, you can use this to gather them on your travels.” With this he then gave me the small bag.

He warned us that “It will not be an easy job.” The younger pixie and I looked at each other and nodded. We agreed we were up to the feat. The elder wished us luck before departing.I told my newfound friend that “I am glad I have a companion.”

She smiled and asked what she should call me. I explained I wished to have a new name for my new start in life. Looking into the night, she told me: “How about something that will remind us of the beautiful night under the moon from which you came from?” I nodded in agreement. She then whispered into my ear: “I am glad that you can keep your wings, they fit you, Mondstaub!” She then settled herself onto my back as the two of us set of to collect as many lost teddy bears we could find.

overlay by MoondustDreams
profile by Frenchi
Picture of Eloa – copyright by subeta
Picture of the little bear and story copyright by Beren
Story edited by teacup132