Bearing Spring

With the coming of spring, means the coming of change- as well as an end to bear's hibernation! This short story follows a bear who wishes to change his ways post-hibernation, but is meant with a horrifying fate at the end. This was to show how though some try to change (with the season), it may not work in their favor. It was really rushed (since I wrote it in like 25 minutes), but here it is! Bearing Spring.

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There lay the furry creature, comforted by the spread of his limbs. He laid patiently, as his ears were on alert awaiting the harmonious singing of the larks. His growing appetite longed for the disappearance of the cold, as he urged to feel the greenery beneath his paws.

oh, how he couldn’t bear the cold of the winter

At last, the sun shone at the crack of dawn, and our dear bear friend let out a yawn showcasing his strong molars. He watches as a groundhog emerges from his den, and prances about, confirming the arrival of change. He struggles to get up on his limbs, putting one paw firmly into the ground, but stumbling right after. Eventually, he stabilizes himself and violently shakes off the dead leaves that served as his mattress. The whistling of the fresh morning wind only ignited further hunger in him, causing his tummy to make twists and turns.

oh, how he couldn’t bear the hunger of the winter

This season marked the birth of a new bear, swearing not to remain the same. A less temperamental bear, that doesn’t pounce on everything his snout detects. He continued on this thought as his hind feet fell in-front of his front feet on his walk to the woodland pool. Typically, he would’ve voyaged to the stream for his daily refreshment, but he wanted to try something fresh and new. The pool greeted him with buzzing dragonflies decorating the body of water. With a brisk tap of his claws, he tested the water and immediately jumped back at the cool sensation- and then eventually jumped in for some cool refreshment. He tossed his body around, up and down, soaking his dry fur coat to the point of newfound darkness. He would never have done this at the stream. The fur-pieces of his body clung together whilst he enjoyed himself in the spring water. Unfortunately, his fun was cut short with the appearance of a northern water snake slithering under his stagnant, floating body, causing him to bump. Bear was brought back to reality, and stepped out of the pool, wagging all the water away.

oh, how he couldn’t bear water snakes during the spring

Our character found himself hugging a tree, itching his back in an upwards down motion with his head tilted up. It had been a while since he needed to stand on his hind legs, but he missed his daily back rubs- he had to cave in. Just then, he noticed the presence of a presumably idle bee hive. The former twisting and turning of his tummy returned, igniting a longing for the sweet taste of honey on his virgin tongue. He slobbered around his snout as he forcefully brought his forelimbs to the ground, contemplating whether or not to disturb that bee hive. He looked to the flowerbeds on the left, and saw that they were still in bloom. A growl was let out in frustration.

oh, how he couldn’t bear the early spring

Typically, Bear would wait out until the full blooming of the flowers to spoil himself in honey- but with the birth of a new spring, came the birth of a new bear. He crept towards the hive with swirl-like designs covering it. In an attempt of protection, he tapped the hive very lightly to ensure no bee was busy that day. Once his experiment was satisfied, he acted out his desires. The honey covered both of his palms as he slurped it up, not wanting to miss a single bit. The twists and turns of his tummy were with no doubt subsiding with every gulp of the rich honey. In the midst of his snack time, he heard a familiar, agitating sound. The buzz of a bee. Bear thought he could swing it away, but unfortunately it was too late. He’d been stung by a worker bee. Bear licked off the remainder of his honey soaked hands, and observed the sting on his forearm. A tear formed and dripped down his face. Although he tried to change his ways, he still got stung by the bee’s venom. Just then the beehive starts rapidly buzzing, and a swarm of bees charge towards bear. He becomes a deer in headlights and just stays there, frozen. He begins to think it wouldn’t been better if he just stayed in his cave. At least then, the disappointment of change wouldn’t have stung him at his peak.

oh, how he couldn’t bear the spring.