Why the Bear Has a Stumpy Tail

Once upon a time there was a cold, cold winter. The snow lay soft and white over the whole forest. The trees wore white hats on their branches. The lake was covered in smooth blue ice. It was so quiet. So very quiet. Only the wind whispered in the pine trees. Wissss. Wissss. And a big brown bear walked slowly between the trees. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. His fur was warm and thick. And behind him swung a long, shaggy tail. Swish. Swish.

The bear was named Bruin. He was big and strong. He was kind and a little slow. Bruin liked honey. Bruin liked berries. And right now Bruin liked taking a walk in the fine snow. He stopped and sniffed the air. Sniff. Sniff. What was that he smelled? A little scent between the pine trees. It smelled like fish. Fresh, shiny fish. Bruin's tummy rumbled. Grrrr. 'Who has fish out here in the forest?' Bruin wondered. And he started walking toward the smell. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

Between the pine trees walked someone. Small. Quick. With a long red tail that swung to the side. It was the fox. His name was Reynard. Reynard had thin legs. Reynard had pointy ears. Reynard had clever eyes that twinkled. And Reynard had a big, sly smile. In his mouth he carried a string. And on the string hung fish. One fish. Two fish. Three fish. Many, many fish! They shone like silver in the sun. Stolen fish! He had taken them from someone. But only Reynard himself knew that.

Bruin and Reynard met on the path. Bruin's eyes went wide. 'Oh!' he said. 'What fine fish! Where did you get them, little fox?' Reynard smiled his very biggest smile. He held his tail up high. 'Oh, Mister Bruin,' he said in a sweet voice. 'I have been out fishing. I caught them myself. All morning long.' Reynard said it as if it were the easiest thing in the whole world. Bruin's tummy rumbled again. Grrrr. He looked at the fish. He licked around his mouth. 'Fishing,' whispered Bruin. 'I want to do that too.'