Human beings are drawn to cats because they are all we are not — self-contained, elegant in everything they do, relaxed, assured, glad of company, yet still possessing secret lives.

An older sister is a friend and defender - a listener, conspirator, a counsellor and a sharer of delights. And sorrows too.

A younger sister is someone to use as a guinea-pig in trying sledges and experimental go-carts. Someone to send on messages to Mum. But someone who needs you - who comes to you with bumped heads, grazed knees, tales of persecution. Someone who trusts you to defend her. Someone who thinks you know the answers to almost everything.

In a world gone bad, a bear - even a bear standing on its head - is a comforting, uncomplicated, dependable hunk of sanity.

Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers, singers of songs.

A teddy bear does not depend upon mechanics to give him the semblance of life. He is loved - and therefore he lives.

A teddy bear is your childhood wrapped up in faded yellow fur, and as such, he commands affection long after he is out grown.