fables folktales · Ages 3-5

The Bear Who Shared the Narrow Log

Two proud bears block each other on a bridge until a small animal shows them that taking turns gets everyone across.

The whole story

1. On a golden morning, a large brown bear reached the narrow log bridge.

2. Across the stream, a large black bear stepped onto the same narrow log.

3. The brown bear said, “I am going first,” and the black bear said, “I am.”

4. Neither bear moved, so neither bear crossed the stream.

5. A small gray mouse watched them and raised one tiny paw.

6. The mouse said, “One bear can wait while the other bear crosses.”

7. The black bear waited, and the brown bear crossed to the far bank.

8. Then the brown bear waited while the black bear crossed the bridge.

9. Soon everyone stood together, and the bears shared berries with the mouse.

10. The bears learned that taking turns let everyone cross the narrow log.

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