Story by Malayah Wiebe | Image by Iris Wanders
Baby Bear sat in his little chair with a pleased smile on his face. He sat there and rocked, for it was a rocking chair Papa Bear had made. Papa had even made everything in this house out of wood, from Baby Bear’s bed with the stairs carved into it, to the smallest spoon in the house. Baby Bear wished he were as big and strong as Papa. In the kitchen, Mama Bear was making Baby Bear’s favourite breakfast. He heard a sudden exclamation from Mama Bear, “Ouch.”
“What’s the matter?” Papa asked her.
“I burned my tongue on the pancakes,” she explained. “Why don’t we go for a walk while they cool down?”
They all went outside. It was cold and snow powdered Baby Bear’s nose. His snout was cold, but the rest of him that was covered with fur was toasty warm. They had a wonderful walk and were soon on their way home. Baby Bear frolicked around in the snow, having a great time. When they returned home, they went to the table. Baby Bear slowly waddled over happily. Suddenly he heard Papa exclaim, “Someone has tasted my pancakes!”
Mama made the same startling discovery. Baby Bear hurried over and gave an unhappy cry, “My pancakes are all gone!”
"We’ll get you some more,” Mama soothed. On their way through the living room, they discovered that their chairs had been sitten in. Baby rushed over to his small rocking chair. It had been broken! He started crying, first his favourite breakfast had been eaten, and now his prize possession had been broken! “It’s all right.” Mama soothed, “Papa can make you another one.”
Baby Bear was still sniffling when Papa suggested, Why don’t we go upstairs and see if this disaster has come to our bedroom as well.” Mama and Baby trailed after him.
“Oh no!” Mama cried, noticing her usually neat bed, “a tornado of blankets and pillows.”
“Is mine broken?” Baby Bear questioned fearfully, running over to it. He could not forget his poor chair. “It’s all fine,” he said with a relieved sigh. Mama and Papa headed for the stairs. Baby took one last look at the bed and noticed a very queer lump under the covers. He pulled them back and then called to Mama in a shaky voice, “Come!”
Both Papa and Mama hurried over. “Look.” He showed the tussled golden hair.
“Oh my,” Mama said. At that, the little girl jumped up and raced out of the house. “Well,” said Mama, not sure what to think.
Baby Bear stared at the door she had just raced out a moment before. Then he remembered his breakfast, “I want my pancakes Mama!” he said. So while Papa went and carved him a new chair, Baby Bear sat in front of the crackling fire on Papa’s chair, and ate his delicious pancakes.