The lucky few Humans who have visited Care a Lot know it is a land of paradoxes. Especially for those granted access to the vast museum wing of The Hall of Hearts. Every Bear and Cousin past and present have a portrait on the Hallowed walls. Care Bears and Care Cousins are supposed to Care. However a few were guilty of being lax in that category. Their portraits lack a Gold Star.
Silver Stars indicate those who have completed at least ten Caring Missions. So those with two Silver Stars have completed at least twenty missions. You will see a lot of silver and gold in The Hall of Hearts.
Care a Lot's adversaries were usually true villains. Cold Heart, the Evil Vizier, and the Purple Pie Man were beyond reform or redemption. However some villains eventually changed their ways. Bronze Stars are on their portraits. So if you get a chance to gaze at portraits in the Hall of Hearts look for some with a Bronze Star. You will see gleaming Bronze Stars on Beastly Boar's and Grizzle Bear's portraits to name two.
Another paradox lies in the names of Care Bears and Care Cousins. Harmony is not always harmonious. She often voices her opinions whether the listener wanted one or not. Lovalot can love many things, but often openly detests some things. Cheer is not always cheerful. Of course there are some things Share won't share.
As far as villains go No Heart does have a heart. Shreeky can speak softly at times. Grizzle created the female robot Big Brain to carry out devious missions. She turned on her creator. There had to be more to life as a Cybernetic Being than obeying a creator who was flawed. So Big Brain fled for parts unknown.
Grumpy Bear is a living enigma. Despite his name he is quite friendly, just don't expect him to hug you. His frowns are sometimes replaced with half smiles. A wry grin from Grumpy is a compliment. He is fond of cooking. You may get a free meal or snack if you compliment his culinary skills. Nowadays visiting the home of Grumpy and Share is a sure fire way to get some something nice to eat. Both are great cooks. Of course you can always stop at The Share Shack for the equivalent of Care Bear/ Cousin fast food.
There is something that seems a bit odd about Grumpy. He can some times be a true grump. Complaining about something with a sour look on his face. Yet if you ask any Bear or Cousin of Care a Lot "who is your most popular citizen" many will say "Grumpy Bear". Yet if pressed further most couldn't tell you why. Share Bear may be the one Bear who may be able to explain things to you. She is a sweet Bear who can be a bit of a ditz. And yes, she is popular too.
To truly understand it all maybe The Story Star could explain things with a story. Such as this. A year after their Mating Day, Grumpy and Share had reached a daily routine. Grumpy would work in his Shop as Share tended their home. Share often daydreamed of one day having her own little shop. One of a culinary nature.
The other citizens of Care a Lot were amazed that Share could put up with Grumpy's moodiness. All had heard the adage "opposites attract". However to many Grumpy and Share were polar opposites. They would soon learn much about Share. Grumpy too. Indeed it would be a lesson that would make Care a Lot and the Forest of Feelings much better at caring.
Forest Friend Bear had often taken his axes and saws to Grumpy's work shop. Grumpy could file and grind such tools to near perfect cutting devices. One day Share was just putting out the garbage when Grumpy staggered out of his work shop. Share could see Grumpy had a rag wrapped around his right hand paw. Share ran up to him. Grumpy was using his left hand paw to keep the rag wrapped on his right one. The rag was red with blood.
"I cut myself bad, Share" gasped Grumpy. Share tried to keep her composure. This was no time to faint or panic. At that time in Care a Lot there was limited Emergency Services. Years later Grumpy and Share would be a driving force in the formation of The Care Power Team. However that was in the future. In the present emergency Share tried to think clearly.
"Okay Grumpy. Sit on the ground while I get something to help you." Share ran inside the house to make sure no appliances were turned on. Then returned with a freshly laundered dish towel. Share winced more than Grumpy as she carefully unwrapped his injured paw. Share then wrapped the clean towel on Grumpy's injured hand paw. Just as she finished she heard a familiar sound. It was Superstar out on her morning jog.
"Superstar, help" yelled Share. Superstar quickly saw this was an emergency. She was known for being more muscular than most females. She could probably wrestle most males down to the ground. She also knew some basic Emergency Medical techniques. Superstar made sure the dish towel was applying pressure to Grumpy's wound. Then she knelt in front of Grumpy.
"Okay Grumpy, lean over my back and put your arms around my neck. Time to do a Care Bear emergency carry." Grumpy did as told. He felt embarrassed as Superstar carried him on her back. Share jogged along behind them. All the way to The Care Clinic. The sight aroused the curiosity of those who witnessed it.
In the clinic Share sat nervously in the waiting area. Meanwhile Take Care Bear cleaned and disinfected Grumpy's hand paw. "Oh my, this is a deep laceration" she said. "You need a few stitches." The Bear known for grumbling and complaining sat stoically as his paw got a local injection of the Care Bear equivalent of Novocain. Then he sat unflinching as Take Care used several stitches to close up the gash in his paw.
Share looked pensive as Grumpy was led into the waiting room by Get Better Bear. Grumpy's injured hand paw was now professionally wrapped in gauze and covered by a bandage. "Oh Grumpy how is your paw" asked Share in a shaky voice.
"Well, Forest Friend will have to wait awhile before I finish grinding his axe" mumbled Grumpy. Suddenly Grumpy's tummy growled. "Darn, I m hungry. I guess I'll have to learn to eat left pawed now."
Share smiled. "Now that sounds like my Grumpy Bear. I'll make a snack for both of us as soon as we get home."
Share was pensive as she slowly led Grumpy back to their home. After getting home the duo sat for a snack of tea, cheese, and crackers. Share watched as Grumpy tried to eat left pawed. He spilled a bit of tea and dropped one cracker. Grumpy could see where Share's eyes were focused. "Well, I guess I am a Fumble Bear now" mumbled Grumpy. "Oh gees, I'll have to do a lot of things with the opposite paw for a while. Even when it comes to wiping my Butt."
Share laughed. "Oh Grumpy, you will manage. You can be a bit stubborn at times. Yet that may be an advantage for you. Just do the best you can in your own grumpy way." That night Grumpy tossed in his bed. Trying to keep comfortable with a thickly bandaged paw. One that occasionally felt a twinge of pain.
Share was on the couch. She dared not sleep with Grumpy. What if she were to roll onto Grumpy's hurt paw in her sleep? So she lay thinking of what to do to help Grumpy in his current condition. He was not one to like being helped by others. However he would need help. Then a thought stuck her. "I guess every Bear and Cousin will have to help in a grumpy way." Share smiled as she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Share was up early. She had things to do. She let Grumpy complain as she helped him get ready for the day. Take Care had instructed Grumpy to take things easy for a day or two. His body needed some time to rest and heal. Take Care had then given Share some explicit instructions. She had also given Grumpy an excuse not to attend the morning Care Meeting. So Grumpy sat in an easy chair as Bears and Cousins assembled in Care Square.
There was a chorus of "how's Grumpy", "I heard he got hurt" and so forth. Brave Heart roared out "every Bear and Cousin calm down. Take Care patched him up. He will need some help from all. After all caring for each other is our heritage. Share can tell you more."
Like always Share looked shy as she spoke before a crowd. "Grumpy cut his right hand paw while sharpening tools. As you may know he is right pawed. His work shop is a bit of a bloody mess so that could be one way to help. He likes snacking so a few goodies to eat may help him feel better. As you all know he does not like to show his feelings. So if you help him he may act like a grump, even if he is really grateful. I suggest you just play along and grump right back. The grumpy way may help today."
"Yippee yay, let's all be grumps in a way" sang out Cheer Bear. With that the morning meeting ended. Everyone dispersed wondering what they could do to help Grumpy. Share too.
The next morning Grumpy decided he had lain around too much. Eating breakfast hadn't been as messy as eating last night's supper had been. He had been living with Share long enough to sense when she was trying to keep a secret. Grumpy told Share he was taking a walk. Share saw Grumpy walk up to their mailbox. A few days before Share had told Grumpy the wooden mailbox had some nails starting to stick out. It could also use a new coat of paint. Grumpy had grumbled he would get around to repairing the mailbox soon. Now Share saw Grumpy kick the bottom of the box's wooden post.
Then Grumpy walked away. As Share watched Grumpy head down the street she saw he was headed in the direction of his work shop. Share giggled to herself. "I hope Funshine is ready for a grumpy thank you. He is not the only one who will have to deal with the grumpy way."
Funshine was wiping his greasy hand paws on a rag as Grumpy walked into the shop. Funshine tossed the rag into the newly filled waste bin. He had hoped to dump it before Grumpy ever showed up. Grumpy gasped as he looked around. The shop floor was swept. There was no sign of any blood on the floor. There had been the last time Grumpy had staggered out. Grumpy's nose detected the smell of bleach. Also lubricating oil.
Funshine's eyes gleamed as brightly as the newly cleaned tools now hanging on the shop walls. "Good morning Grumpy" said Funshine. "Share asked me to tidy up a bit. How is your hand paw?"
Grumpy frowned. "My paw feels better than the last time I was here." Funshine could see Grumpy's eyes look toward the waste bin. Grumpy showed no emotion as he spotted rags Funshine had used to wipe up blood. The grinding wheel Grumpy had been using looked as if it had been cleaned. The oil stone on the grinder looked as if it had been cleaned and degreased, then newly oiled.
Grumpy looked at it closely. "Hmm, it looks nice but I could have done it myself." Funshine felt a little bit let down by Grumpy's demeanor. Then Funshine flinched as Grumpy put his left hand paw on Funshine's shoulder. "Not bad at all" said Grumpy. "Well I had better get home before Share sends out a search party. Make sure you put things approximately back where you found them." Then Grumpy flashed a half smile. For Funshine the paw on the shoulder and that half smile was worth a dozen thankyous.
After leaving his shop Grumpy wondered what to do next. His reverie was interrupted as "how are you feeling Grumpy" was yelled behind his back. Grumpy whirled around coming nearly nose to nose to with Surprise Bear. Grumpy's eccentric Sister in Law nearly dropped the cookie tin she was holding. Then she grinned as she lifted the lid and showed Grumpy the tin's contents.
Grumpy's eyes beheld paw shaped frosted cookies. Half of the cookies looked like a blue furred paw. The other half looked like blue furred paws with a white frosting bandage. "Try one" said Surprise with gleaming eyes. "They are homemade frosted shortbread cookies." As she re-closed the tin Grumpy slowly tasted a cookie. "Not bad" he mumbled with a mouthful of cookie. After swallowing he took the cookie tin in his uninjured paw. "These should do for a few snacks" he then said. Then as he looked at Surprise he said "these are surprisingly tasty" then winked. Surprise was pleasantly surprised. That was quite a compliment from some Bear like Grumpy. Surprise happily hummed a happy tune as she walked home.
Grumpy was nearly home as he spotted Cheer headed up the street. "Oh no, dealing with Cheer can be as stressful as dealing with Surprise" Grumpy mumbled to himself. Cheer set down her purse. She did a head stand then landed deftly on her foot paws. "Hey hey, hope you're feeling better today" she said in a sing song voice. Then she made sure nothing had fallen out of her purse. She pulled something from it. "Here is a Get Well Gift Card good for ten Care Credits at the Care Mart store" said Cheer.
Grumpy looked at the card then at Cheer's beaming face.
"Well, thanks" mumbled Grumpy. Then in a dead pan tone of voice he said "hey ,hey, you almost cheered me up today." Cheer giggled as Grumpy walked off. She knew she had really cheered him up a bit. She could hear him whistling a happy tune. For Cheer his whistling was the best thank you she could have gotten.
Once again Grumpy headed home. He spotted Do Your Best Bear near the mailbox. Grumpy quietly slunk up behind Do Your Best. "Ahem" went Grumpy. Do Your Best yelled "ah" as he spun around. Dropping a paint stained burlap sack. The paint cans and paint brushes inside rattled. Do Your Best wiped his hand paws on his smock. Do Your Best's smock was paint covered of course. There was also paint on his hand paws, facial fur, and where his arms were uncovered.
Grumpy could see the mailbox was not only newly painted. There were no nails sticking out, in fact it looked nearly new. "Gees Grumpy, you startled" me said Do Your Best. "Share said you two needed your mail box repaired. So I tried my best to help."
Grumpy looked the mailbox over closely. Then Do Your Best. "Well, it looks like you did your best to do a Messy Bear imitation. Share will really appreciate your effort on the mail box." Do Your Best felt a little disappointed. Then Grumpy held out the tin of cookies. "Have a cookie or two. Be warned, Surprise made them for me."
Do Your Best ate one cookie, then another. "They are surprisingly good for something Surprise cooked up" said Do Your Best. "Well, get well soon and enjoy your cookies and repaired mailbox." Just then Grumpy flashed a half smile and gave an uninjured thumbs up. Then turned around to go up the walkway to his and Share's home.
Do Your Best grinned. "Well, I got a better grumpy thank you than I expected." He happily whistled as he headed home for a much needed bath. For him a grumpy thank you had made his day.
The door opened just as Grumpy reached for it with his good hand paw. Share was there with a concerned look on her face. "How was your day Grumpy? Is your paw feeling any better?"
Grumpy showed no emotion as he said "I just started getting some twinges of pain. Time for some medication." Share headed for the bathroom. Grumpy heard the toilet flush. Then the sound of a running faucet. Lastly he heard the sounds of a cabinet opening. Share came out with two pain pills in her left palm. Her right hand paw held a small paper cup full of water.
"Here's your medicine and some water. You are supposed to take your pills before eating supper anyway." Grumpy's nose could smell that supper. He took the medicine then used the toilet. He headed for the supper table.
Share happily sat a plate of food down for Grumpy. Then her own. "So how was your day" she said as she reached for some sliced bread. She watched Grumpy shakily hold a tea cup to his lips as he sipped some tea. He was still not used to holding a cup in his left paw. Nor his fork.
Grumpy looked over the table toward Share. In a deadpan tone of voice he said "well I got to skip a boring morning Care Meeting. My shop got cleaned up. The mail box got repaired. Cheer tried to cheer me up. Surprise made me some cookies that didn't explode. You cooked a meal worth sharing." Then Grumpy flashed that half smile he was known for. "Heck, today was almost worth getting hurt for!"
"Oh Grumpy" said Share. Then she did her best Grumpy Bear imitation. "Darn good thing I can't give you a hug!" No, with Grumpy's hurt paw hugging could be painful. Instead the two Bears carefully rubbed noses. Then Share giggled after Grumpy showed his love for her in his own grumpy way
"A nose rub from you is usually worth two thumbs up" said Grumpy with a dour look on his face. Then he flashed a half smile. "However I can only give that nose rub one thumb up and one thumb wrapped up!"