18.4.2010 by Patricia Roberts – Dedicated to Eva Gregory, to bring her a smile and all our hopes and good wishes for a speedy recovery.

One evening, it was all quiet in Zoo Berlin and all animals were either already in their bed or sleeping and having sweet dreams. And Knut, while comfortably laying with his head on his jutesack, was watching the full moon. In the background he could hear his mother and aunties chatting about this and that. But at a sudden moment, he heard his auntie Katjuschka mentioning his name and started to listen.

Katjuschka: No, really, Tosca dear, I am serious. I believe that very soon, it will be time to tell Knut everything about the birds and the bees.

Tosca: Ah, well, my dear Katie, don’t you think that Knuti is still a bit too young for such stories. It can only confuse him.

Nancy: Well, frankly my dear, I agree with Katie. He needs to know all this and the sooner the better, especially now that Giovanna is there and you don’t want an “accident” in the family, do you?

Tosca: Oh my oh my, maybe you both are right! But was this part of his education not the obligation and task of his father?

Katjuschka: Oh yes, it was – past perfect since that guy is now exploring other horizons.

Tosca: Well, sweeties, let me think about it. Let us go to bed now. The night will bring us good advice.

And so said, so done, and after a while, the only sounds that Knut could still hear was the snoring of his aunties and the soft murmurs of his mother. But his eyes became soo heavy and also he fell asleep.

During the next morning, however, he kept on and on thinking about their words and was wondering what it all meant. And although he never ever had a question about birds and bees, he thought that very maybe he had overseen a detail or two. And because he is now already a rather grown up young polar bear, he decided to call his father in Wuppertal to find the answer himself.

Knut: Hello Papa Lars, how are the excavations? Have you already found a lot of gold treasure?

Lars: Hey, Knuti-boy, how good to call me. Arhem, yes, the excavations are going fine. I am digging and diving all day and I found a wonderful golden statue, think must be early Greek age or so, but certainly not Etruscan. How is life there in Berlin?

Knut: Well Papa, I need your help.

Lars: Of course, son, come up with it. How can I help you?

Knut: Well, Papa, can you explain me everything about the birds and the bees?

Lars: KUCH KUCH!!! Are you serious?

Knut: Yes Papa, auntie Katjuschka said that it is now the time for me to know everything about the birds and the bees.

Lars: Oh, I see, well if auntie Katjuschka is saying so, she must be right. Well, my son, it is all about the girls.

Knut: THE GIRLS ????!!!????

Lars: Yes, my son, all about the girls. Oh my, I still remember my young years with the girls. They were marvellous and thinking about these days almost brings tears in my eyes.

Knut: But … Papa, what have girls to do with the birds and the bees?

Lars: Everything, my son, believe me, everything, and if you do not believe me, than ask any given man. He will give you exactly the same reply: the girls and the birds and the bees. Nice that you called me, but I am afraid that I have to leave you now. I must do some works on my statue.

After the phone call, he noticed that his auntie Katjuschka had been following the conversation – all by coincidence, of course. While shaking her head, she said to Knut that she had always known that his father was not going to be a big help, since he was having the patent on falling asleep during important working sessions.

Na, that was clear as mud!!! And therefore, Knut decided to call his buddie Willy.

Knut: Hello, Willie, everything OK with you?

Willie: BLUB BLUB BLUB …

But after a while, there was a better connection.

Willie: Sorry Knut, but I was just testing my new mobile phone. The people in the shop promised me that it was working under the water, but nada, niks, noppes. So, what can I do for you?

Knut: Willie, can you explain me everything about the birds and the bees?

Connection broken and a big splash, but after a while:

Willie: OK, Knut, I am back. Well, young man, you know how to take a man by surprise. Why do you ask this?

Knut: Well, auntie Katjuschka said that it is now the time for me to know everything about the birds and the bees. And I already asked Papa Lars to explain it but he started to talk about girls and then said that I had to ask another man. And therefore, I am calling you.

Willie: Yes, Knut, I understand. Well, actually, your Papa Lars is right: you have the girls and the birds and the bees. And when you meet the girls, you will know everything about the birds and the bees. Well, at least at the right moment.

Knut: but Willie, what do I have to do to have the right moment?

Willie: Well Knut, let me give you some good advise: you can do like me, buy a good mobile phone and call the girls. And if a girl is answering your phone call, then make a date and when you have a date with her, then you will learn about the important difference between boys and girls. But watch out for the babies!! And do not forget to keep me updated. Hope to hear from you soon. Bye!!!

Na, again, that was clear as mud!!! And therefore, Knut decided to visit his best friend Raspi.

Raspi: Knut, how super to visit me!! What is the great news?

Knut: Well, Raspi, I have a few questions and maybe together we can find the answers.

Raspi: Of course, together we are strong and we know the double. So, go ahead.

Knut: Well, auntie Katjuschka said that it is now the time for me to know everything about the birds and the bees. And I already asked Papa Lars to explain it but he started to talk about girls and then said that I had to ask another man. So, I called Willie and he confirmed what Papa Lars said. But he also said something about meeting a girl and learning about the important difference between a girl and a boy and watching out for the babies. Do you understand a single word of all this?

Raspi: Oh Jeez, that sounds very complicated. Let me think for a while and help me in thinking.

And so, the two friends sat together and started to think about all these words. After a while …

Raspi: You know, Knut, I think that I have found the answer.

Knut: Oh yes, please tell me.

Raspi: Well, you know that there is a big and important difference between a girl and a boy.

Knut: Ah ja, which one then?

Raspi: Well, quite some time ago, I learned that girls do have a missiemoosieken and boys a pissiewiesieken and we need that to do peepee.

Knut: OK, so far, I can still follow. But what has this all to do with babies and why do we have to watch out for them?

Raspi: Well, we all know that babies do a lot of peepee and therefore, we have to watch out for not becoming completely wet.

Knut: You are right Raspi. That is the answer. I knew that there must have been a link, but what has this all to do with the birds and the bees?

Raspi: AIAI, Knut, you know how adults can be!!! Most of the time, they talk too much and then, what they say is pure nonsense. And now, back to really important things: let us run to the swimming pool and the last one arriving has to give his salmon to the winner !!!!

Knut: Raspi, that is not fair, you are already running while telling me this.

Raspi: I know, but your legs are longer.

And after a few seconds, at the same moment, there was one BIG SPLASH and nobody has to give his salmon to the other.

And so, after a lot of playing fun, Knut arrived back in Zoo Berlin. Because it has been quite a long trip and he was rather feeling tired, he went straight to bed. While laying comfortably with his head on his jutesack, he was thinking about all the things he learned that day and about all the fun he and Raspi have had. And then, all of a sudden, he found the answer to the question about the birds and the bees and smiled. Of course, how could he have been so silly. The answer has been always there right in front of him and it was so easy to find. Now, he knows about the birds and the bees: THEY CAN FLY !!!!! And then the sandman came and brought him also sweet dreams.

Collages by Mervi, Originalphotos by Caren, Christina M, SylviaMicky