~*~Theodore Teaches Willow about Mother Nature~*~

Theodore Teaches Willow about Mother Nature1

It began like any other day. The sun rising in the east, the mocking birds singing and so much other wildlife is awaking to a breezy, sunlit, clear day as they, too, stretched and yawned. As if a gentle kiss from Theodore's mom on his furry little cheek, he felt a comfort wash over him as he rose to meet a new day...maybe even an adventure! Theodore felt his tummy growling. The way it does when he could smell the brisk morning air.2

He was an orphan as he never knew his parents. He stretched and yawned. Of course, Theodore was a beautiful, brown bear. As he got out from the little den he made for himself, he could not find his scratching tree. Being very tired, Ted had forgotten where his special tree was among all the other marked trees.3

With both paws he rubbed his eyes. Ahh, there we go, that's better, he pondered to himself. Slowly he rubbed his back –up and down. All of a sudden he stopped and laughed as he rolled around on the dusty ground. An ant had crawled up on to his leg, but he brought an army! He could not stop giggling...falling on the ground still chuckling away. A deer had walked on by but was startled and frightened as it heard strange noises coming from Theodore, although very curious.4

“Oh, hello Theodore, you startled me,” Willow, the frightened deer said with a mouthful of berries.5

“Oh, hi Willow! You wouldn’t believe what made me laugh, except hearing you talk with a mouthful…” Theodore said still giggling.6

“Uhm, let me take a wild guess, you stubbed on your toe and it hurt so badly that you were laughing instead of crying, am I close? How am I supposed to know Theodore? I was on my way to the lake and get my throat wet; do you want to join me?” Willow timidly asked him. 7

“Are you crazy? You know how much I'd be jumping around on one foot making a big fuss… Anyways, Willow, I was laughing because an ant was crawling on my foot, well, I mean my leg now. And it seems I'm such a sweet bear that he invited his whole family. Oh there… you see one?? There, to your left. Be careful...try to stand still, Willow until they take their tickle fest elsewhere.” Suddenly Theodore stopped talking in mid-thought as he saw the expression on Willow’s frightened face.8

“Uhm, Theodore...? I think I hurt some of them. They aren't moving, not even a little. Does that make me a bad person now," Willow's voice was visibly shaken. Why did it have to be me? Hey little guys, wake up! I’m sorry I hurt you...fellas, please wake up! Willow desperately tried holding back her tears, "CAN YOU HEAR ME?” she began sobbing and instinctively ran behind Theodore.9

“Willow… I asked you to not move an inch...did you hear me?! --” Ted stopped before he hurt Willow’s feelings even more.10

“Please don't cry, I’m sorry, really I am. It wasn’t your fault; I can't put blame on you, my best friend."11

"When I was a tiny baby, my mama told me that before she passed away that we should never be scared of death, because it's nature's way of rebirth. It might just be injured and will heal. You said it isn’t moving, right? {Willow shook her head} We'll keep an eye on these little guys for awhile...ok, Willow? Trust me, Mother Nature knows.” 12

Willow turned around with her head low to the ground. Theodore could tell that she was upset as her nose dripped with tears. Just as Ted could not see Willow anymore, he quickly crept up to the ant and sat on a knotty old log for many hours. Nothing was happening...Theodore felt so helpless, as not a single ant was moving. The sun began to pick up beautiful hues in Mother Nature's sky. This was a sign of comfort as Willow walked up to Theodore to check on the situation.13

As they both kept watch together, nothing was happening. Before their very wide and surprised eyes of belief...something magical happened, at that very moment; a glowing yellowish-white Angel appeared to take the little guys to Mother Nature's world of Peace and Freedom, with its wings she vanished as quickly as she appeared. She embraced the ants gently, winked at Willow and Theodore and with a smile she flew out of sight.14

© 2004 – present15

Collaboration between16

Kalen Reif  & Jani J. Fraim17

A.K.A. Nelak & Honesty Abounds18