Once upon a time animal stories

by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

“Oh, Little Bear, I told you to stay at home and watch the fire,” said the boy.

He led Little Bear back, and this time he tied her to a pine tree.

He had not gone very far when he heard once more, TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP, in the path behind him. There was Little Bear following with the pine tree on her back.

“Oh, Little Bear, you must stay at home and watch the fire,” said the boy.

He led Little Bear back, and this time he tied her to a rock.

He started on his journey again, but he had not gone a stone’s throw, when he heard THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, in the path behind him. There was Little Bear following him with the rock on her back.

“What shall I do with you, Little Bear?” said the boy. But just then they came to a wide brook with no bridge to span it.

“How shall I cross?” said the little boy.

Little Bear pushed the rock into the water. She laid the pine tree across the rock for a bridge. They both walked across the brook in safety.

“Well, you may come with me, Little Bear,” said the boy.