On Thursday, the folks over at the New York Times Weekend Arts section proposed an interesting question: if Paddington is the little Peruvian bear in boots who has come to represent London, which character in history would be the best and most model representative of New York City?

Classically, many would think of Eloise, the troublemaker who lives in the Plaza Hotel. Stuart Little, a tiny empathetic mouse born to human parents, is also a common go-to. The Times reached out to a number of NYC institutions to ask them what their selections would be. A gray squirrel is an excellent choice:

"There are so many qualified candidates in Central Park — Balto the heroic sled dog, majestic red-tailed hawks, and a healthy population of raccoons and chipmunks — but after a robust debate in our office, we want to nominate the gray squirrel. It is by far the most popular and photographed creature in the park, and just like New Yorkers, they are hard-working, resourceful and stylish."

Douglas Blonsky, president and chief executive of the Central Park Conservancy.

Paul Holdengraber, the director of Live From The New York Public Library, selected Patience and Fortitude, the two lions who watch over the NYPL on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Not a bad choice, but they don't move.

A fat rat who lives at Grand Central? The feral cats of Bushwick? A pack of bedbugs who make their home on the subway? The options are endless.

[Images via AP]