Goldilocks

Most of us are familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, about a girl who sneaks in to the bears’ house while they’re out waiting for their porridge to cool. Most of us probably feel sorry for Baby Bear, who comes home to find his porridge all gone and his chair broken to pieces.

I feel even more sorry for Mummy and Daddy Bear. The story makes it clear that they sleep in separate beds, and perhaps even separate rooms. What happened? Since they have a baby, they presumably shared a bed at some point, and even if they’re no longer sexually active, what’s wrong with sharing a bed with someone?

You don’t have to have sex with someone, just because you’re in the same bed. I’ve shared beds with friends of both sexes without even a kiss passing between us. It’s just nice to know that you’re not alone. If you wake in the night, there’s the snuffling warmth of another human being there, not far away. I know people who share their beds with dogs and cats, and I doubt very much that there’s sex involved.

Perhaps Daddy Bear got caught with Soo from the Sooty Show, or perhaps Mummy Bear had a fling with Baloo from The Jungle Book, but they’re clearly still on speaking terms, so why can’t they cuddle and make up? What sort of message are they sending out to Baby Bear, sleeping out their lives in separate beds?

Let us feel sorry for Mummy and Daddy Bear. Baby Bear’s chair can be repaired or replaced, and there are probably enough oats left for some more porridge, but there’s no substitute for companionship. Baby Bear doesn’t come out of the story too badly. He ends up with a blonde in his bed.