The Bear Story

Summary 

A lady lived in an old house near a forest. She had a pet bear that she loved very much. She had found the bear when it was small, weak, and hungry, and she raised it with care. Over the years, the bear grew very big and strong, but he was gentle and kind. He never harmed anyone and behaved like a friendly dog.

The bear loved children, animals, and even played with dogs. He ate simple food like vegetables and bread and liked fruits, especially apples. Sometimes he got into trouble for stealing apples or honey, but he learned his lessons and behaved well.

Every Sunday, the lady visited her sister and left the bear chained at home. One Sunday, the bear followed her into the forest. The lady became very angry because the bear disobeyed her and hit him with her umbrella. The bear looked sad but finally turned back.

When the lady returned home, she scolded the bear again. However, the cook told her that the bear had been sitting quietly all day, waiting for her to come back. This showed that the bear was loving, loyal, and truly innocent.

Difficult Words & Easy Meanings

• Manor-house – a large old house

• Cub – a baby bear

• Helpless – unable to take care of itself

• Amiable – kind and friendly

• Kennel – a small shelter for a dog or animal

• Shaggy – having long, rough hair

• Temptation – strong desire to do something

• Resist – stop yourself from doing something

• Wistful – sad and thoughtful

• Punished – given pain or penalty for doing wrong

• Disobeyed – did not follow orders

• Parasol – umbrella

• Severely – very strictly or angrily

• Meek – quiet and gentle

• Haunches – back legs of an animal

• Solitary – lonely, far from others

Answer the following questions:

1. Where did the lady find the bear cub? How did she bring it up?

The lady found the bear cub in the forest. It was half dead with hunger and very small and helpless. She and the old cook brought it up by feeding it milk from a bottle and taking good care of it.

2. The bear grew up but “he was a most amiable bear”. Give three examples to prove this.

1. He never harmed anyone even though he was big and strong.

2. Children used to ride on his back and sleep in his kennel between his paws.

3. Dogs played with him, pulled his ears and tail, but he never got angry.

3. What did the bear eat? There were two things he was not allowed to do. What were they?

The bear ate bread, porridge, potatoes, cabbage, turnips, and fruits like apples.
He was not allowed to:

1. Steal apples from the orchard

2. Go near or disturb the beehives

4. When was the bear tied up with a chain? Why?

The bear was tied up at night and on Sundays. He was chained on Sundays because the lady went to visit her sister and did not want the bear to wander in the forest and get into trouble.

5. What happened one Sunday when the lady was going to her sister’s house? What did the lady do? What was the bear’s reaction?

One Sunday, the bear broke free and followed the lady through the forest. The lady became very angry and hit him on the nose with her parasol, which broke. The bear looked sad, shook his head, and slowly went back, stopping to look at her again and again.

6. Why was the bear looking sorry for himself in the evening? Why did the cook get angry with her mistress?

The bear looked sorry because the lady scolded him and planned to punish him again. The cook got angry with her mistress because the bear had been very good all day and had sat quietly waiting for the lady to return.

Discussion Questions (Sample Answers)

1. Most people keep dogs and cats as pets. Can you think of some unusual pets that people keep?

Some people keep unusual pets like parrots, rabbits, turtles, hamsters, snakes, fish, horses, and even pigs or bears in rare cases.

2. The second bear did not attack the lady because he was afraid of her. Do you agree?

No, I do not agree. The bear did not attack the lady because he was gentle, loving, and well-trained. He trusted humans and had no intention of harming anyone.