When I was little I was convinced that there were monsters under the bed. At bed time I would open the door of my room and do a flying leap onto the bed to avoid those grasping hands grabbing my feet. Once I was in bed I was safe from harm, I have no idea why the monster could not enter the bed. The problem was the run up to the bed, that was when he could get you and grab you pulling you under the bed into monster world. An end to be avoided at all costs.

Like many children I had a favourite toy that helped to keep me safe from the monsters. In my case it was a duck hand puppet.  Here he is, looking at bit worse for wear after thirty odd years.

Duck, he never had a name, was very special. When I was little I lived in Belfast. We lived near Barnett’s Demesne, a large park which has a National Trust building in it. The building is called Malone House and like many National Trust properties it has a gift shop. We used to walk up to the park with my mum at the weekends and I fell in love with these hand puppets. My first choice was a Cheetah, but I had to save up my pocket money to buy him. I remember going to get him, it was just after my birthday and I had enough money. The Cheetah had gone but I saw this duck instead. He looked a lot smarter then, his fur was black and glistening with silver as though he had just come out of the water. His beak was shiny red and his eyes were friendly. I took him home and he became a much loved friend.  He was made all the more special when a few days later Malone House was blown up (it was Belfast at the height of the troubles) and all its contents destroyed. I felt that Duck had been saved.  Duck was my companion for many years and kept me safe from the monster under the bed, and as you can see I still have him safe now.

When my son was little he was also concerned about monsters under the bed. In his case it was a bit more sinister, he thought they would reach up into the bed and grab him. He was paranoid about having his toes covered by the duvet. Sticking out toes made it easier for the monster to grab him and take him away.

Enter Dragon, who you can see in the picture.

Dragon is a very friendly dragon who is much loved. You can see that we had to bandage his tail as he got stuck in the bed as the monster tried to pull him below and his tail got ripped. Luckily I had some blue felt to patch it with. He has bright orange and yellow flame and can fly. He is also the perfect size for sitting at the end of the bed and keeping away monsters. With Dragon on guard no monsters dare come near. He was a faithful guard for my son for a long time and he still uses him at times now, even though he is getting a little old.  Toys can be so special and have superpowers that keep us safe when we are little. Do you have a special toy that means the world to you?

This is my entry into the Who Fights the Monsters Under the Bed competition  from Warren Evans beds.