"Noon is the time for dinner," Little Bear said in grumbling tones, "and roasted eggs are not so good as scrambled."
"Son Bear," answered Father Bear sternly, "Mother
Bear is always right!"
Soon back came Mother Bear, walking fast. And when Little Bear saw the eggs in her green basket, he was so much pleased that he forgot to be cross, although he did not forget his wish. While Father Bear untied the grapevine rope, Little Bear helped Mother Bear to cover the eggs with big green leaves, to keep them cool. He danced and sang as he worked.
"And now we are off for a morning's good fishing!" exclaimed Father Bear, as he pushed the raft into the middle of the stream and passed a wee fish pole to Little Bear, a middle-sized fish pole to Mother Bear, and straightway began fishing himself with his own huge pole and line.
The Three Bears fished all the morning and caught nothing. At noon, without warning, there was a great splashing in the river, and Father Bear exclaimed, "I have a bite!"
Well, he pulled, and pulled, and pulled, and could not land his fish. There was great excitement on
[Illustration: Father Bear answered sternly, "Mother Bear is always right">[
[Illustration: Back fell Father Bear]
the raft, until suddenly Father Bear almost caught the fish. Up came the line, up bobbed the fish-a huge fish, almost the biggest fish Father Bear had ever caught. But back fell Father Bear, and bumped into Mother Bear, and she bumped into Little Bear, and he sat down in the basket of eggs, because the three were standing one behind another. Then the fish flopped back, splash! into the water—and the Three Bears were hungry!
"Something has happened to the eggs!" exclaimed
Little Bear. "I am afraid they are all squashed."