Tino’s Tales: The money box

Join Bill and his bears at Christmas time and then try our fun activity sheet!


Rupert took the stopper out of his money box in the shape of a red bus and shook it. A few pound coins dropped out and rolled across the table before clinking to a stop. Rupert frowned, turned the bus upside down and shook it a little harder. Some pennies plopped onto the pound pile.

‘Oh dear,’ said Rupert to himself, counting the small amount of money he had. ‘This isn’t going to stretch very far to buy Christmas presents for Bill and the Gang of Four.’

Returning the handful of coins to his money box, Rupert sighed miserably and rested his chin on his paws.

‘How am I going to be able to show them what good friends they are to me, if I can’t give them something nice at Christmas?’

Rupert wandered glumly into the living room where Teddy Baby was watching a TV programme for young bears. Pausing for a moment, Rupert noticed how much Teddy Baby was enjoying the TV presenter painting a very messy picture.

All of a sudden, Rupert swung around and nearly leapt out of the door in excitement! Bill agreed to take him to the shops once he had finished his work and Rupert went to find his money box.

So that no-one would see what he had bought, Rupert carefully hid everything in a shopping bag and took it straight to his room. He spent several hours shut away before emerging, covered in paint, and refusing to tell them what he had been doing.

*             *             *

“Roberta. R is Ready for any adventure...”

It was always the bears’ favourite day of the year, as they were all together and having fun. Rupert was particularly bouncy on Christmas Day this year.

‘Alright, alright!’ Bill eventually gave in to Rupert’s energy and agreed they could open their gifts. Rupert insisted, his eyes bright, that everyone open first the presents that he had bought them. He studied their faces as they unwrapped their parcels, hoping they would be pleased.

But Rupert was wrong. They weren’t pleased. They were absolutely delighted!

‘Oh Rupert,’ whispered Tilly. ‘This is so thoughtful – and personal. Thank you, thank you so much,’ and she gave him a big hug.

Roberta was gazing at hers. She held the framed picture carefully, studying Rupert’s painting that spelled out her name, and read, ‘Roberta. R is Ready for any adventure, O is On call whenever you need her, B is Bright and bubbly whatever the weather, E…’

Rupert smiled because his friends were smiling. That was better than a full money box.


Teddy tales: Christmas maze

Can you help Rupert to find his Christmas present in the middle of the maze?

Click here for the Christmas maze activity sheet


Tino, Tilly, Roberta, Rupert, Lord Meight and all of Bill’s collection of 269 bears will soon be moving into a new home at Mr Simpson’s Teddy Bear Museum in Milestones Museum. Find out how we’re getting the bears ready for their move.

Tino's Tales was made by Mark Fenton, Ruth James, Caroline Johnson, Helen Sinnamon and Nick Suffolk


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