A Bear and His Boy

Bear had always wanted his own boy, someone he could snuggle with at night, sit next to during meal times, and just enjoy pleasant conversation. He had tried other boys in the past but never found one quite right. Then, he met Ricky.

Ricky had been walking through the woods on his way home from school. He wasn’t really paying attention to where he was; his mom and dad were always fighting, and he just needed a bit longer in the peace and quiet before actually getting home.

As Ricky walked past Bear’s house, Bear said, “Hello, young man. Are you a boy?”

Ricky was surprised to hear this deep voice coming from the hollowed tree. “Why, yes. I am a boy. I am also a young man. Why do you ask?”

Bear was taken aback; he had never thought a boy could also be a man. “Well, I’m looking for a boy. It gets cold in my house during the winter, and I need someone to snuggle with,” he said.

Ricky thought for a moment. He really couldn’t see to whom he was speaking. He asked, “I might be the boy for you, then. I love to snuggle. Mom and Dad don’t snuggle much any longer. Do you like chocolate? I love to snuggle and eat chocolate.”

“I love chocolate. It’s one of my favorite things to eat,” said Bear. “Would you like to be my boy?”

{“What would Mom and Dad say,” thought Ricky. “Would they even notice I’m gone?”}

“I need to check with my parents. Would you like to wait here or would you like to come with me,” Ricky asked Bear.

“I’ll come with you,” said Bear, joyfully. “I always love an adventure.”

So off they went, hand in hand. Bear and his new boy.