THE BEES AND THE BEARS

Once upon a time, there was a bear who lived in the big forest. His name was Berry, and he just so happened to love berries but not bees.

When Berry was little, he reached into a beehive that was full of bees. He didn’t know they were inside. The moment he disturbed them; the bees swarmed his hand and stung him. Berry screamed in pain as thousands of bees covered him. From that day on, Berry was afraid of beehives and wanted nothing to do with bees.

One day, the bears in the forest went to collect honey. Among them was a bear named Charlie, who noticed Berry never joined the honey trips. Charlie found it strange, considering all bears love honey.

Charlie approached Berry as he was sitting on a log. Sitting down next to him, Charlie asked, “Why don’t you come on any honey trips with us?”

Berry replied, “When I was little, I didn’t know that bees lived inside beehives, and I got stung.”

Charlie said, “Well, that’s normal. It happens to all of us, especially during honey season.”

“Really?!” Berry asked.

“Yeah, that’s how we learn as bears. I’ve been stung before,” Charlie said.

“That takes some weight off my shoulders,” Berry admitted.

“If you feel comfortable, you can come with me, and I’ll show you how to get honey without getting stung,” Charlie offered.

“Sure! I would love to come,” Berry said.

And so, Charlie, Berry, and the rest of the bears finished their trip to collect honey making it back home just before dark.

Layla J: "Hi, My name is Layla and I love to read books. I was inspired by my mom to write my first short story in hopes to have it published in a magazine just like her. I love reading books and now I think I will grow to learn more about writing books. As I continue to write more stories, I want to inspire other kids like me that anything is possible"