162. The Masked Bandit

Theodore and Earth Bear watched the branches on the bush moving and waited patiently.  They could faintly see an outline of a body and then the little creature seemed to feel confident enough to peep out.  "Oh, it is a raccoon," said Earth Bear, "notice the face.  It looks like a bandit wearing a mask with that black stripe across the eyes.  They are so cute but can be troublesome by tipping over trash cans or even coming into one of the cabins and making quite a mess.  Some people say they wash their food before they eat it, but I am not sure if they really do that."  They watched the raccoon stand up on its hind feet to reach a seed on the bush and then pounce on a large moth before disappearing behind the next cabin.  "Brrr! It is getting too cold out here now," said Earth Bear, "let us go inside and have another cup of honey tea to warm us up."  And they did.

Earth Bear has an Idea

Theodore and Earth Bear warmed their paws on their cups and sipped the hot honey tea.  When his cup was empty Theodore placed it on the little table next to him and said, "Earth Bear, I have enjoyed my visit with you immensely and learned about nature but you have to go and repair the fence tomorrow and I think I will catch the bus when it comes in from town.  Thank you so much for a lovely three days."  Earth Bear nodded and then he said, "Yes, repairing a fence is not as interesting as a walk and you saw the best part of the Mountain Park.  Oh, and I nearly forgot. . "  Earth Bear went across to his shelf and brought a little card with a pretty forest picture on it.  "We can each put a paw print on this and send it to Merlena Bear from us as she must be wondering where you are. There is a post box at the bus terminus and you can drop it in tomorrow."  "Good idea, Earth Bear," smiled Theodore and they both made their neatest paw prints on the card.

161. Going Home

Theodore and Earth Bear walked on along the trail and as there was very little damage to the path on such a gentle slope they were soon at the bottom of the hill. "It is very pretty from here too," said Earth Bear, "we will be under trees and a stream flows next to the path for most of the way.  That means the fallen leaves are damp and look, like here, there will be many kinds of mushrooms and toadstools growing among them. I like looking at the toadstools with their long stems and brightly colored, pointed caps but I have never seen a fairy house in one yet," and Earth Bear laughed at his own joke.  Theodore looked at the toad stools.  "I think these would collapse if a toad sat on them," said Theodore and laughed too, "I wonder who thought of that name."  "We are almost at the Main Camp now," said Earth Bear, "the way home always seems shorter than the way out but it has been a lovely three days and we saw lots. Thank you for all the help with fixing the path too, Theodore."

Supper on the Verandah

At the Main Camp Earth Bear and Theodore stopped at the big office to report that they were safely back from their walk before going to Earth Bear's cabin.  It was almost getting dark by the time Earth Bear opened his door and he and Theodore unpacked their back packs. "A cup of honey tea will taste good with our supper" said Earth Bear, "we can sit on the verandah and maybe we will see some little animals walking between our cabins.  They do come sometimes and sniff around but we never leave any food scraps that might attract them lying around and they have to find their own meals in the wild."  Theodore and Earth Bear each took a bean bag outside and made themselves comfortable.  An owl flew silently over head to perch on a pole and then Theodore sat forward in his seat, "The branches on that bush are moving.  There must be something there.  I hope it will come out into the light because I would like to see it," he said softly.

160. A good Place to live

Theodore and Earth Bear listened carefully to Daisy Bear's sad story.  They were silent for a while and then Earth Bear said, "I am sure I speak for Theodore too when I say we are sorry to hear about your family.  We hope that you will feel at home here in this lovely place.  I have lived here for a long time now with an interesting job and have the chance to watch many of the other animals every day.  Some are so small and one has to be very lucky to see them and you will only see them if you are watching all the time."  Theodore nodded his head in agreement.  "We have been walking for two days," he said, "and by tomorrow night we will be back at the Main Camp but I have really enjoyed being out with Earth Bear and I have learned a lot about the Park.  I would be surprised if you will move again from here." "Thank you for the tea and the chat, Daisy," said Earth Bear, "we must start early tomorrow so need some sleep but I am sure we will meet again when next I come around to check on the paths."  They said Good Night to each other and parted company.

A Bonus

The sun was just peeping over the tops of the trees when Theodore and Earth Bear set off to see to the last part of the path.  It was a perfect morning and Earth Bear said, "The walk today is easy, first we go up over a small hill and then from there it is flat ground all the way home.  We must make more noise today as we walk through bear country and I would not want to surprise one.  They do not like surprises in the wild and can get a little dangerous."  So they chatted and sang a song or two as they went along.  The path was in good shape and needed very little work so soon they were at the top of the hill. They looked out into the distance and then Earth Bear said, "There is something moving in the bush down there.  Let us watch a while as I think it is a bear."  This  they did and before long the bear walked across the clearing then disappeared among the trees again.  "A bonus," said Theodore.

159. The Flower Child

Theodore and Earth Bear enjoyed watching the film show, seeing some of the places where they had been on their walk and the wonderful animal photographs.  When it was over the campers had time to chat to each other about what they had seen and Earth Bear and Theodore joined in.  One visitor particularly had caught their attention and they wanted to meet her.  She was a happy looking bear wearing a pretty yellow outfit and she obviously liked flowers.  "Good evening, Ma'am," they said and told their names. "Hello," said the lady, "I am pleased to meet you two.  My name is Daisy Bear and I am spending a few days camping here before I take up my new job as the receptionist at this Camp Site. I am a real flower cub and I am sure you saw my daisy chain and the flower in my fur.  I love nature and this Mountain Park is one of my favorite places. Do you also both work here? I have some hot chamomile tea in a flask so come and share it and tell me what you do."

Daisy Bear tells

"A nice cup of hot tea is just right after sitting outside for a while," said Daisy Bear as she brought the tray.  Earth Bear agreed and then he told Daisy Bear that he was a Ranger at the Park but Theodore smiled and said, "No, I am just visiting my friend here and we have been repairing the nature trail after the rains.  I am actually traveling to see the world and all the many wonderful places.  Are you also traveling, Daisy?"  Daisy Bear looked surprised at the question.  "No," she said, "I have left home. You see, I come from a beautiful country in the north and lived there for a long time with my parents and my brother close by.  Then one day some mean hunters came with big guns and shot them all.  I was so sad and lonely that I decided to go far away.  I took these flowers with to remind me of home but I am here now and feel happy again among the trees in this peaceful Park.  It will be wonderful to live here where no one is allowed to bring a gun with them."

158. A Kid's Slide

After lunch the path went downhill and Earth Bear and Theodore made good progress.  "We must keep watch along here," said Earth Bear, "I have often seen a family of otters playing in this river.  Maybe we will be lucky today."  They walked a little slower and then Earth Bear said, "Over there. See, there is one swimming in that pool. Let us watch for a while as they are very active and like to dive and play. That little one is coming out of the water now and ha, ha," Earth Bear laughed, "did you see it slide down that bank and back into the water. Just like any kid."  Theodore laughed too as they watched the energetic little otter and decided to spend some time looking at the otters search  for something to eat.  "We must move on now," said Earth Bear, "we have to reach the next Camp Site before it gets dark. This Site is different and we will have a hut to sleep in instead of a tent."

Who is That?

Theodore and Earth Bear settled into the little hut at the Camp Site and prepared their supper. They sat on the steps of the verandah to watch the sun go down and while waiting for it to get dark they listened to all the night sounds made by the animals and birds in the Park.  "Later tonight there will be a film show about the Park in the small amphitheater over there," said Earth Bear, "would you like to see it or are you tired?"  "That would be lovely," replied Theodore and they made their way over to find a good seat on one of the natural stone tiers around the big screen.  The lights came on between the huts, the preparations for the show were underway and the visitors started coming from their huts.  Suddenly Earth Bear nudged Theodore. "That is an interesting looking visitor here tonight.  Certainly not the type we see around regularly.  From where, I wonder?"