Can you guess what the most popular bear is?
It's not the panda or polar bear.
Here's a hint: most children have this bear.
That's right! It's the teddy bear.
The teddy bear has a special story.
"Teddy" was the nickname of Theodore Roosevelt.
He was the president of the United States many years ago.
President Roosevelt enjoyed the outdoors and nature.
He liked to go hunting.
However, on one hunting trip, President Roosevelt did not see any bears.
He was going to give up and go home.
"The president has to get something," said one man.
"He will feel bad if he doesn't," said another.
"I have an idea," said a third man.
The man told the others his plan.
They found an old bear and tied it to a tree.
Then they ran back to the president.
"Mr. President! I saw a bear!
Follow me, Mr. President," said one of the men.
He pointed to the tied-up bear. "Here is the bear!"
"Shoot it, sir," said another man.
President Roosevelt looked at the bear.
"How can I kill this helpless animal?" shouted the president.
"I can't! I won't kill it!"
A cartoon appeared in the newspaper a few days later.
It showed President Roosevelt and the bear.
The cartoon quickly became famous.
A candy store owner saw the drawing.
He and his wife decided to make a stuffed bear.
They named it Teddy's Bear and displayed it in their store window.
Everyone wanted the stuffed bear.
It became very popular.
Over time Teddy's Bear became known as the teddy bear.
And now the teddy bear is loved by children all around the world.