I asked her mother if I could give her a beanie baby from my stash of beanies I rescued from a bag my daughter was taking to the Salvation Army. The mom said yes, and that her daughter really likes bears, and cats. I looked through the basket and found a leopard beanie, and went to hand it to the little girl. Well she let out a holler and started backing up and shaking her head no, no. She was clearly terrified.

I asked the mom if she was afraid of the beanie I picked, and she said that her daughter had been taught “stranger danger” and that was what she was reacting to.  Well, she did a good job of teaching her because she had me startled!!  I gave the beanie to mom and the little girl still wouldn’t take it.  Mom set it down and they shopped and made their purchase.  As they were leaving mom asked if she could still have the beanie and I said certainly so she picked it up along with her daughter.  Mom placed the beanie on her shoulder, and the little girl was trying to knock it to the ground!!  I wonder if she ever did warm up to it.