Across the River with Bear

A storm washes away the only bridge. Every animal has an important job to do.

There was once a river called Bubbling River. A little wooden bridge crossed it, and every animal used it to get to the berry patch. Then one night, thunder came, and in the morning, the bridge was gone.

The animals gathered on the bank. ‘How will we cross?’ sighed Sam. ‘It’s too wide to jump,’ said Gia. ‘And too deep to wade,’ said Faye. Everyone was gloomy.

Bear the bee thought hard. ‘We can build a new bridge,’ he said. ‘But we’ll need everybody.’ The animals looked at each other, and started to nod.

Faye, who was the strongest, hauled big logs from the forest. Sam, who was the nimblest, climbed up and tied them with long, strong vines. Gia dug holes for the posts.

And Bear? Bear was the smallest, but he could squeeze into tiny spaces. He wriggled between the logs to tie knots no one else could reach. Every knot counted.

By sunset, the bridge was finished. It wobbled a little at first. Then Faye stepped on it. It held! Then Sam, then Gia, then Bear. They all crossed, cheering.

The new bridge was stronger than the old one. And at the middle, the animals carved: ‘Built by everyone.’ It’s still there today, if you know where to look.

💡

The little lesson

Everybody has something to give, big or small, and together it adds up.

Let’s talk about it

What job did you think was most important?
Think of a time you worked together with others.

Finish stories to collect Bear as a sticker in your Sticker Book.

← Previous in Animal TalesBeth’s New Burrow Next in Animal Tales →Tara and the Broken Bridge

Across the River with Bear

The little lesson

Let’s talk about it

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