Babska the Bear

*assignment 2011: childrens fable/lesson based story
This is the story of Babska. Now Babska was a very stubborn bear. When his mommy told him to go to sleep, he jumped around more. When his daddy told him to eat his dinner, he refused unless it was rainbow trout. He asked for rainbow trout every single day. Occasionally his parents could get him to eat other foods, but some days he would yell for it until they went out and caught one for him.

One day his father took him out into the Forrest to show him some special bear skills. As usual, Babska wasn’t paying much attention. He thought he already knew everything. His father pointed out the dangerous berries and said “now son, the spotted berries are not for eating. They'll make you sick for a day.” But Babska was already off chasing a rabbit. His father growled low and continued walking. Soon they came to a chasm through which a river flowed. There was a large log securely resting across it and when they stopped at the edge The big father bear put a paw on his sons shoulder. “son, over there is the most amazing river. once you cross the log there is a stream full of rainbow trout and lots of other fish. but you have to be so careful crossing here. you can’t run across, you must walk slowly and with each paw in front of the other or you’ll slip.” Babska was already thinking of the rainbow trout “yeah dad. I understand.” He said.

They headed back to their cave where his mother had spread new leaves and moss for their beds. They all laid down for the night and Babskas father said “remember all I taught you today son, for it will serve you well.” “mmmhhmm” he murmured, but the little bear was already half asleep. Babska woke up very early the next morning, before his parents in fact, and decided to go for an adventure. He wanted rainbow trout! He remembered how to get to the big log and spend the walk there chasing little animals and scratching his back on trees as he past them. Soon he was at the edge of the log. He put a paw on it and found it quite solid. “this is easy!” he thought and started across. Now it was a long log and he didn’t like going slowly. He started to get careless and walked faster and faster. Soon he was starting to trot across....when suddenly he slipped! Before he knew it his front paw had slipped out from under him and he fell “galumph!” onto the log. He scrambled with his claws and caught the tree so he didn't fall off. But now he was stuck! He had no idea how to get up without falling! Oh how he wished he had listened to his father! He put his head down on the log and started to cry. He didn’t feel like a big bear now, he wanted his mommy or daddy!

After a few minutes he heard a glumphing behind him in the Forrest and was afraid of what it might be, he couldn’t see! He was turned the other way! Suddenly he heard his fathers voice “You didn’t listen did you?” “no papa! “ sobbed Babska. His father sighed “have you learned your lesson?” “yes” he sniffed. “ok then...” and his father told him how to get up, to put on paw in front of him and balance his weight. In a few minutes Babska was up on his feet and finished crossing the log, slowly this time. His father followed him across and when they were both on the other side Babska leaned into his father and said in a quiet voice “I’m sorry papa”. “It’s ok son. Listen next time and you’ll be ok.”

Babska followed his father to the fishing spot to catch their breakfast and swore to himself that he’d listen more from now on. And you know what? He did! And He grew to be a strong big bear with a little cub of his own. And he never forgot that lesson in listening.