Recently I was walking in a Sussex and I chanced upon an old friend strolling with his small, porcine pal.

"Winston" I called out, feeling that to shorten his name, as so many have, was to under estimate the size of his brain, and his considerable honey-fuelled stomach "how are you? what are you doing now?"

"Just strolling along", he replied, "perhaps humming a little something, perhaps thinking about getting myself on the Internet".

"Good idea, every bear should have a web-site, and even do a little buying and selling if possible" I replied with enthusiasm.

"I don't know about that" piped up his small pink companion, "isn't it rather dangerous, full of traps for the unwary and terrors of all descriptions?"

"Nonsense" I replied robustly "that's just a children's story, there is nothing to be afraid of, and much to be learnt and gained".

"Does that mean that I will be able to get myself more honey, discover things easily, and protect myself from imaginary beasts?" Winston asked quickly.

"No" I had to admit "but you will be at the pawfront of technology and you will be just like lots of other bears......."

Winston stopped and thought for a moment, looked at the peaceful scene all around him and then his honey-stained paws.