Mr. Snuggles
John Hamish Watson loved his young patients. Their parents however - they were often something else!
Take, for example, young Mitchell. John had first met Mitchell when his mother brought him in for his pre-school booster. Knowing that young children often feared needles, John was prepared. He had Mr. Snuggles – a stuffed elephant – close by in case hugs were required; he had a sheet of superhero stickers to give to Mitchell after the vaccination and check-up were done and he even had a handful of lollipops in a small jar on his desk.
All his preparations proved unnecessary as Mitchell handled everything like a trooper. His mother, though, was a different story. At the sight of the needle, she burst into hysterical crying. Disconcerted by the loud sobbing John paused, looked over at the distraught woman and then back into the bright blue eyes of the four-year-old boy.
Much to John's amusement, Mitchell rolled his eyes, passed Mr. Snuggles to his mother and said, "Here Mummy. He needs a hug."
Once the check-up had been completed, stickers and a lollipop given to the smiling Mitchell and a slightly-moist Mr. Snuggles handed back, John gave Mitchell a wink and then ushered them towards reception.
Closing the exam room door, he leaned against the wood, gave a deep sigh and muttered, "Oh brother!"