Teddy Bear Crosses a River

One day Teddy Bear was traveling to Spotty Spot's house. Now, Teddy Bear's home is a long walk through the woods, so he set out early in the morning to make his visit. After he got through the woods he came to the a river. On the far side he could see Spotty Spot's house. Teddy Bear said to himself, "Oh my, I must get across this river to visit my good friend, Spotty Spot." Not far away he saw a bridge. Teddy Bear walked over to the bridge. It was small, and old, an it did not look very sturdy.

Teddy Bear stepped one foot onto the bridge. CREAK. Carefully he stepped another foot onto the bridge. CREAK.

"Oh my," Teddy Bear said, "This bridge does not seem safe to me!"

So he stepped off the bridge and went down the bank to the river's edge. Teddy Bear looked across the river and he could see the house of his friend, Spotty Spot.

"I must get across this river!" he said to himself.

So he stepped one foot in the river. The current felt quite strong. Then he gently put his other foot in the river. But he felt the current pulling at him. It was too fast!

Before he could be swept down the river he stepped right out onto the shore again. But he looked across the river and said, "How will I get the my friend Spotty Spot's house?"

Then Teddy Bear looked down the river. He saw a man in a boat. He said, "Hello fisherman! Can you bring me across the river?"

The fisherman said, "I can not bring you across. I am a fisherman, and I make my living by catching fish. This is my work, and I must do this work to feed my family. I can not leave it to help you across the river."

Teddy Bear said, "But I need to cross the river to see my friend, Spotty Spot. Please won't you help me cross?"

"Well," said the fisherman, "since you ask so politely, I will take you across."

So the fisherman rowed his boat to the shore. Teddy bear put one foot in. Then he put the other foot in. And the Fisherman rowed him across.

On the other side Teddy Bear said, "Thank you Mr. Fisherman for helping me across."

"You're welcome. Have a good time with your friend."

Teddy bear climbed up the bank and went to the front door. He rang the bell. From inside he heard, "Who is it?"

"It is me, Teddy Bear."

The door opened, and Spotty Spot jumped out onto Teddy Bear. Lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick Spotty Spot was so happy to see Teddy Bear!

And they sat down inside and had a nice talk together.

The End
(c) 2007 Ken Demarest