The Bears of Honey Hollow - Essay Example

The Bears of Honey Hollow Part I Winter was ending and the bears were waking up from their long sleep. A beautiful, white, furry Polar bear d Aurora emerged from the riverbank. “Hello! Anybody here?” A cinnamon colored bear cub named Serenity ran to her, surprised that such a magnificent creature can come out of such a damp, boring river. “Ooh, you’re so wet!, he exclaimed! Aurora sneezed out loud, “Yes, yes, little bear… are you all alone here? Where are your parents?” Serenity grabbed hold of her paw and pulled her towards the cave. Inside the dark cave, Serenity called out for her parents, Ursa Major and Marie, distinguished elders of the Bear Council. “Mom! Dad! Wake up already!!” “Well, good morning to you too, my son!” Marie answered, and her eyes widened at the figure following her little cub. “Who did you bring along?” “Aurora Fedora” the Polar bear replied, her nose in the air, her paw reached out to Marie as if expecting her to kiss it after she curtsies in front of her. Realizing Marie will not bow down, she fixed her fur at the back of her head instead. “What brings you here to Honey Hollow?” Marie kindly inquires. “Oh, is that what this dump is called? I come from Antartica. Had to swim all the way here to save myself from the horrendous oil and gas explorations of those horrible men! They dig, and dig, and won’t leave us alone. One day, my friend, Shalimar, God bless her soul, was killed because the men were afraid she would kill them first.” Ursa Major came out from his room wondering what the ruckus was all about. “What’s goin’ on?” Marie stepped forward and introduced Aurora and told him her distressing story. “Well then, my friend, you are welcome to stay with us as long as you need.” Ursa Major decided. Serenity squeezed Aurora’s paw and showed her the twinkle in his eye. Part 2: The next day, Ursa Major and Marie seriously discussed their fears about what man is doing to harm nature. “Those poor Polar bears getting disturbed in their homes because of gas?” Ursa Major asked. “Oh dear! It’s not only them, it’s us too! Imagine the group of men who arrived in trucks last week. Did you see the monstrous machines they have? You know what I think? I think they’re out to cut down trees! Oh, darling, what will happen to all the forest animals? They would lose their homes! And my sweet Serenity… I hate to think he will grow up without trees around him. What should we do, Ursa dear!” Marie cried. Ursa Major bowed his head and slowly shook it from side to side. Part 3: Serenity’s best friend, Mackenzie is a charming bear from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She loved treasure hunts! Today, she wanted to look for golden nuggets that she believes are kept by fairies for smart little bear cubs to discover. Instead, she chanced upon a nest with blue spotted eggs. She looked around and realized that all the tall trees she knew were gone. She didn’t see it at first because she had her head bowed down all the time while looking for golden nuggets. “Jiminy Jeepers!” With eyes wide open, heart-a flutter and shaking hands, she picked up the nest and brought it to her chest. “Poor little chickies! Your mommy must be gone!” She ran towards the cave of the Bear Council. On the way, she saw her friend, Foggy Skies, a Spectacled bear from South America, sleeping on a low tree branch. Mackenzie nudged him with her elbows. “Que Horror, senorita! Que pasa?” Foggy Skies awoke, surprised at Mackenzie’s face up close to his, as his gaze traveled to what she was carrying. Then, he looked around and saw that it was extra bright without the trees to give them shade. “O, hija mia, what has happened to all the trees?” he asked. Mackenzie kept quiet and started walking toward the cave while Foggy Skies followed her. While walking, they heard Serenity playing his piano. They both ran towards him and showed him the eggs and the trees that were chopped down. Serenity then joined them on their way to the cave of the Bear Council. The three friends sadly walked and understood each other’s pain even without speaking a word. Part 4: Aurora went swimming in the river. On one side of the riverbank, curious children hid behind the bushes, led by a brave little boy named Justin. “That white bear…I’ve never seen anything like it!” he said. His friend, Koji, who was shaking with fear agreed. “Wh- wh-what could i-i-it b-be? If it sees us, it will eat us, will it?” Sydney, the only girl in the group and the most courageous off all hushed him, “Don’t be silly, Koji! See how pretty she looks? Look. I’ll try to get her to catch us, and she won’t.” Sydney stepped forward and waved her hand to Aurora. “Hey, white bear! Come and get us and let’s see how fast you can run!” Aurora merely looked their way, shook her head and muttered to herself, “A bunch of imbeciles! Me? Chase them? They must be dreaming!” Suddenly there was a loud crack from the sky. The children thought the sound was made by Aurora, so they scampered away, running for their lives. It was only thunder. ..but heavy rain poured washing away everything in sight. Aurora didn’t mind it at all and continued floating contentedly in the river. Serenity, Mackenzie and Foggy Skies reached the cave huffing and puffing from their exhausting run. Inside the cave, their friend Ming-yi, a panda bear, was helping Ursa Major and Marie spread out little cans under leaks. She cheerfully did her chore and seemed to have fun sprinkling some water here and there. She stopped at the sight of her three wet friends. “Nee hau! Why the long faces? Come, grab some cans! We’re catching rainwater!” Foggy Skies yawned and slumped down the couch. “Oh, Ming-yi! Don’t you see what Mackenzie is holding?” Seeing the bears, Marie immediately handed them towels to dry themselves. “Serenity, what happened, my dear?” Serenity likewise slumped down the opposite couch. “They’re all gone, mother. The trees were cut down and Mackenzie found this nest of eggs on the ground. Maybe the mama bird was killed or it would not leave her eggs behind. Oh, mother, it’s terrible!” Ming-yi rushed outside. Ursa Major ran after her, “Ming-yi, where are you going in this storm? Come back here!” Ming-yi looked back. “It’s OK, sir! I’ve got to check out my bamboo trees! I hope they’re still out there or else…Oh, sir, you understand, don’t you? I just gotta!” Ursa Major took pity on her and merely nodded his head. Ming-yi stopped in her tracks. She looked around and was astonished at the damage the storm has caused. There were floods everywhere. Rain slid down the slopes with nothing to stop it because no trees blocked it,,, no roots hungrily absorbing its wetness. “Help! Please! Mama!!!!” Ming-yi searched for the shrieks of children and found them being carried by the strong currents in the river. “No! Wait, kids!.... “ Ming-yi felt so helpless. And then she saw Aurora paddling back from her swim. “Aurora! The children! Quick! They’re drowning! Save them!” Aurora squinted her eyes and recognized the children who teased her to be chased. She turned away refusing to help. Ming-yi tried to persuade her. “Aurora! Here at Honey Hollow, we help each other. You are no longer in Antartica. Please, help them!” Reluctantly, Aurora dove back and swam as fast as she can. She grabbed hold of a floating tree trunk and gently pushed it towards the children so they can hang on it. “Easy now, kids… you’re safe with me.” The children stopped wailing and quieted down until they reached calmer waters. When they were safe, Aurora swam back to Honey Hollow. Part 5: The Bear Council met in the cave with all the bears of Honey Hollow in attendance. Justin, the little boy from the riverbanks was walking by hoping to see Aurora to thank her for saving his life. He noticed that the cave was filled with bears, and decided to peep in the window to see a glimpse of Aurora. Ursa Major started to speak. “We are all saddened by what happened to the forest. Many of our forest friends died because they could not find shelter from the storm. So many trees were cut down by man and they do not realize it’s the whole forest community that suffers! The animals suffer, why even the air we breathe is affected! How are we to find food now?” Ursa Major seemed so angry that his wife, Marie had to hug him so he would stop shaking. Ming-yi, the smart little bear raised her paw to speak. “Sir, I am ready to help. Starting today, I shall plant trees in the forest. I know it won’t be anything grand like the forest we know, but it’s gonna be a good start! Anyone care to join me?” Serenity stood up. “I will help.” Mackenzie stood up too. “Count me in!” Foggy Skies likewise stood up, “When do we start?” Ursa Major and Marie smiled at the eager cubs. Just then, Aurora said, “Found a shovel outside. Let me get it so we can start now.” Everyone was surprised at Aurora’s move. When Aurora stepped outside the cave, she was surprised to see Justin in the shadows. Aurora coaxes him to come out. “ I see you, little boy, you can come out now!” Justin charges to her and gives her a big hug. “Oh, white bear! Thank you for saving us in the flood! We’d be dead by now if it weren’t for you!” Aurora was touched and she found herself hugging Justin back. “Come, little boy. Help us. You too can be a savior of the dying forest.” Justin looked at her. “ You bet I can! I’m going to talk to my dad to tell his men to stop cutting trees! I don’t want anyone else to suffer because of what they’re doing. I’m sorry it happened.” Justin broke away from the bear’s embrace and started walking home. He had a mission now. He was going to help rebuild the forest and he was going to speak up to his dad. Part 6: It was the first day of Spring. The birds were chirping and the new plants the bears (with the help of the children) planted were growing leaves already. Serenity played sweet music on his piano while he rested. Suddenly, Foggy Skies noticed the eggs shaking. “Ayayay! Amigos, it’s time!” The bears gathered around and witnessed the hatching of the spotted blue eggs. The chicks were so cold and Ming-yi suggested that Mackenzie and Foggy Eyes take turns warming them with their paws. A few days later, the chicks grew a little bigger, ready to be on their own. The bears all gathered for a ceremony. “Little Birdies, we hope you’ll always remember us!” Serenity whispered while he held one bird gently. Mackenzie took her turn to speak, “We promise we bears of Honey Hollow will always care for this forest. It’s your duty to fly over us once in a while to remind us to fulfill this promise.” Ursa Major gave the bear cubs the signal. “Release them now, cubs. It’s time they find their own lives to live.” Reluctantly, the bears obeyed but not before giving each bird a kiss. Over the years, the forest began to grow thick with trees again, thanks to the care of the Bear Council. Everyone who visited felt that it was a very special place. Honey Hollow was a place where everyone felt welcome and happy. It was a place where each creature felt they had a duty to fulfill -that of looking out for each other and giving the environment all the love and care it truly deserves. Read More