Once upon a time there was a young bear. we’ll call him Saint Huckleberry Sandypaws (Huck for short).* Huck lived in the deep forest among the rest of his kind and he was a talented bear. He could dance the thimble-berry-two-step-shuffle as good as the best of them. It was sort of a natural talent. He enjoyed it too and everyone said he should go abroad to foreign forests and become a star; the next Bugle the Black Bear.* Huck even joined a dance troop who in the forest was hailed as the “next big thing.” It couldn’t have been a better situation: Huck and his dancing paws coupled with the Trampling Wild Berries. The group danced around and performed in different meadows and glens. They even had a big show at the well known Tall Oak Theater. Huck had fun and everyone thought they should go far. Soon it was announced that the Trampling Wild Berries were to go on a four month long tour of the Great Middlewest Region of Woods. At first Huck was very excited and thought it was a dream come true. Everyone thought that it just made sense and was the thing he was meant to do: to go on tour displaying his talent to the world! The group was excited to get out and share their musings with other crowds but something wasn’t sitting right in Huck’s big belly. Though he wanted to go and though he thought it was the “perfect” choice to make, he just wasn’t at peace within himself. With most everyone beckoning him to travel with the Wild Berries he was beside himself with a lump of confusion in his stomach. Leaving just didn’t feel right. Some suggested that feeling was from all the berries he had been eating but he knew better. He couldn’t trick himself into thinking it was right to go (though he tried). After weeks of contemplation and restless nights Huck let his dance-mates know of his decision not to go. He was sorry but explained he couldn’t betray what was in him. Not sure why this was all happening he only hoped that this was for the best and that in the future something else may arise. The Wild Berries were extremely graceful and forgiving and left for tour without him. They did wonderfully with his absence and shared the love through dancing paws to all who came out to watch. Saint Huckleberry Sandypaws stayed back and was peculiarly fine with the decision. He continued to dance and eat berries and only hoped that the best was at hand.
*For more information on Saint Huckleberry Sandy paws please visit Glacier National Park in Montana, USA and ask park ranger, Old Man Lambert, to where you can learn more. He may even take you to Huck.
*Bugle the Black Bear (aka Ace McGregor) is in the history books as the most grandest of grand berry-ball dancers. He is most well known for his role in the Big Paw Pamberry film which made his name famous.
-tom hymn
