Storytime

When counting sheep (or salmon) didn’t work, this bear cub had to use his imagination!

Once upon a time, there was a oneyear-old black bear cub who liked to eat and play. His name was Blackie. During spring and summer, Blackie learned to follow his parents, obey them and find food. He continued to eat, play and grow.

When fall rolled around, he was chubby. His mom, Star, and his dad, Paws, ate and ate to fatten up before their long winter sleep to come.

Star told Blackie that after their long nap, he would have a little brother or sister, or maybe both! Blackie was so happy that he danced on his hind legs. He’d always wanted someone to play with, now he might have two someones!

As the weather turned colder, the snow fell, the wind blew and the bear family settled into their cave in beds of leaves and grass.

Papa Paws was the first to fall asleep. And snore. Blackie tossed and turned in his bed. He got up, patted his leaves and grass, and lay back down. He sighed, “Mama, I can’t sleep.”

His mom replied, “Relax your body and paws. Stretch out and breathe deeply and slowly.”

Blackie obeyed, but it did not put him to sleep.

Next his mom suggested counting sheep. “What’s a sheep?” asked Blackie.

“It’s a woolly animal with four legs,” replied his mom. “Try counting salmon instead, dear.”

Blackie tried, but since he could only count to five, that didn’t work either.

His ever-patient mother yawned and said, “Sweetie, you must find a way to fall asleep that works for you, because bears sleep all winter, every winter.”

Blackie licked his furry paws and thought. He tried singing softly, but he wasn’t very good at it.

After trying to name colours, and then types of food, including fish, blackberries, and his favourite, ants, he gave up as that wasn’t working either.

All he could hear was his dad’s snoring, a weird kind of rhythmic music that wasn’t lulling him to sleep at all.

Finally, he decided to list all the fun games he’d play with his new siblings when they arrived: running, swimming, climbing trees, hiding, chasing one another and catching fish—just to name a few!

By then, his brown eyes drooping, and his mouth curving into a big smile, only the soft sounds of snoring could be heard coming from his little black nose.