A long time ago, in a far away land called Everbest, there lay the Enchanted Forest. It was so big that as far as the eye could see when one had the energy to climb Outabreth Mountain was the green, green valleys and the Long and Winding River that wound through them. Far off on the horizon, beyond Sweetwater Falls, if the sun shone just right, you could see light glinting off the turrets of the Dreamsmire Castle.
On a bright sunny day, along the edge of the Bubbling Brook, in a remote corner of the Enchanted Forest, was a White Softie Bear named Betsy. She was all white from head to toe with bright black eyes and a big black nose. Her fur was long and soft as butter.
Betsy did not know she was beautiful. For it was on this very day, many long years ago that she was found when she was a Little Softie White Bear by the Gund Stuffed Animal Bear Family. The Gund Stuffed Animals were stout people from the North. Unlike Betsy, the Gund Bears were black, brown, and squat. When they found little Betsy all alone, they thought, "We must help this poor little bear, why, we'll take her in." But they also thought that Betsy was homely. For the Gund Stuffed Animals took pride in their short fur and strong, stumpy build. They were built for hard work. They owned a Stuffed Toy Factory where they made Gund stuffed toys.
They pitied Betsy her soft, round build and velvety fur. They took pride in their own rough build. So Betsy thought all her young life that she was different. An outcast. Not at all like the family that adopted her. The Gund stuffed animals family kept her hidden in this remote corner of the forest so that her feelings would not be hurt by the snickering barbs of the villagers.
As soon as Betsy was old enough, the Gund stuffed animal family put Betsy to work in the Gund toy factory where Betsy helped make countless, look alike Gund toys. The Gund stuffed animals were very nice, but made Betsy feel even worse as the Gund stuffed animals were made to look just like the Gund Stuffed Animals Family. So it seemed to Betsy that everywhere she looked there were bears that were different from her, this made her feel even worse.
 Day after day she made the Gund toys and at night she ate her dinner with the Gund Stuffed Animal Family. But one day, something wonderful happened. Mother Gund, the matriarch of the Gund Stuffed Animal Family, told Betsy that for the first time, the family was leaving the vale and going to the Mid-Summer Ball at Dreamsmire Castle. Moreover, Mother Gund took pity on Betsy and said that she could join them for them at the Grand Ball.
Oh, Betsy was thrilled. She was so excited to see the world beyond the vale. She had dreamed. She had lain in her bed and dreamed of the Castle and the handsome young prince that lived there.
Now Betsy, nor any of the Gund Stuffed Animal Family, had ever set eyes on Prince Brown Bear, but she had heard that throughout the kingdom, no handsomer bear existed. Rumor had it that he was dragging his feet in getting married, as he just couldn't find the right Princess for him. He had searched the entire length of the Enchanted Forest for the perfect mate but had found no lady who sparked his interest. The Kind and Queen were quite annoyed.
On the day of the event, Betsy fretted and worried about what she looked like, knowing that she was not pretty. She did the best she could. She put a wreath of red roses in her hair, brushed her long white fur until is gleamed, threw her head back, squared her shoulders, and said to herself that no matter what, she was going to have pride in herself, even if she was different. For she knew in her heart of hearts, the she was a good bear of fine character and that was what was truly important.
Now on the eve of the ball, the Gund Stuffed Animal Family had gotten off to a late start that because a Gund toy had broken which had been specially made for a sick child in the vale. So Father Gund took the time to fix the Gund toy for the child. This made them late, but it was worth it to see the child smile.
So off they went, Betsy and the Gund Stuffed Animal Family in their wagon to Dreamsmire Castle. Along the way, Father Gund Bear showered children that passed by with Gund stuffed animals and Gund stuffed toys as he was in a fabulous joyful mood and wanted to spread cheer with his Gund toys.
They wound alongside the Long and Winding River and up the great cobblestone road to the magnificent white gates of the Castle. Once through, they were directed to the Grand Ball Room.
Up the long sweeping white steps of the castle the Gund Stuffed Animals walked with Betsy in tow. When they arrived at the top of the stairs of the ballroom all the good folk of the enchanted forest were mingling below. Music played and lights shown on the richly adorned crowed. There were Butterflies from the Butterfly Garden and Teddy Bears from the Teddy Bear Village. Perhaps most impressive were the Funny Feet who stood nearly 6 feet tall, these unique animals came in all shapes from Turtles and Pink Elephants to Horses and Unicorns. There were even Fairy Ballerina's in their breathtaking, sparkling tutus.
Far across the room, on a dais, sat the King and Queen with Prince Brown Bear standing at the King's right hand side.
The Gund Family was announced and they started down the stairs. Betsy paused, she was in awe and overwhelmed. She stopped at the top of the stairs and took in the splendor.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to Betsy. For Betsy was the stuff legends are made of. It had been a 1,000 years since a white bear had been seen in all the land. They were considered by the Court to be extraordinarily precious and the most beautiful of all creatures in the Kingdom.
The Prince moved from the dais and strode across the long ballroom. He could not believe his eyes. For here stood the most beautiful living thing he had ever laid eyes upon. More than that, it was clear that the glorious bear standing at the top of the stairs was in fact, royalty. For the mark of royalty was long beautiful fur and glittering black eyes. Just like his.
He waited at the bottom of the stairs for Betsy with his hand out. Betsy reached him, took his hand, and looked deeply in to his eyes. She was so surprised to find that the Prince looked exactly like her, only he was brown. She thought he was so handsome and then the thought occurred to her, perhaps she too was beautiful.
A path was cleared for the Prince and his stunning white bear. They moved to the dance floor, he swept her in his arms and led her in a swirling dance that made her heart beat fast. She felt as though she were lost in a dream, yet found in her Prince's arms.
A long time ago, in a far away land called Everbest, there lived a lonely Prince, who, upon the advent of the Mid-Summer Ball found his true love, the white bear Betsy. They married, had two children, Little Brown Softie and Little White Softie and lived happily ever after in Dreamsmire Castle.
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