Chipmunk and Bear
Long ago in the time before the animals lost their voices, a bear took a walk alone in the woods. Now it was always said that bears thought very highly of themselves, since they were big and strong. They were certain they were the most important of all the animals in the woods.
As this bear went along the forest trail, turning over logs with his massive paws, digging for food to eat, smelling the fresh spring air, and listening to the bees buzz he said to himself, “There is nothing I cannot do.”
“Is that so?” piped a small voice from a thicket. A little head peeped out from a hole in the ground, a small Chipmunk looking up at Bear.
“Yes,” said Bear, for they do not lie, “that is true indeed.” He reached out and rolled over another log. “Look at how easily I can do this. I am the strongest of all the creatures in the forest. All others fear me.”
“Can you stop the sun from rising in the morning?” asked the Chipmunk.
Bear thought for a moment, for what a peculiar question it was, “I have never tried,” he said, “but yes, I am sure I could.”
“You are sure?” the chipmunk asked again.
“I am sure.” Bear replied, “Tomorrow morning the sun will not rise. I, Bear, have said so.” And Bear sat down, facing the east to wait.
Behind him the sun set for the night but he remained. The Chipmunk went to his hole and curled up, snug in its little nest, chuckling about how foolish Bear was.
All through the night Bear sat, until the birds began to sing their morning calls, heralding the coming of the day.
“The sun will not rise today.” Bear said, staring hard at the glowing light to the east, “The sun will not rise today.” and so he repeated, over and over, growing more desperate as the light grew.
And the sun rose, just as it always had. Bear was terribly upset, but Chipmunk was delighted. He laughed and laughed at Bear’s confusion, “Sun is stronger than Bear,” Chipmunk tittered, so amused he came out of his hole and began running in circles, singing all the while.
“The sun came up! The sun came up! Bear is angry, but the sun came up!”
Bear sat there, enduring Chipmunk’s taunts, looking very unhappy, and Chipmunk ran around and around, singing and laughing, until he was so weak, he could do nothing but fall and roll on his back. Then, faster than a fish leaping form a stream, Bear shot out one massive paw and pinned Chipmunk to the ground.
“Perhaps I cannot stop the sun from rising,” Bear grumbled, “but you will never see another sun rise.”
Suddenly fearful, Chipmunk said “Oh Bear, oh Bear, you are the strongest, the quickest, the best of all animals! I was only joking!” But Bear did not remove his paw.
“Oh Bear,” Chipmunk continued, “You are right to kill me, I deserve to die. Just let me say one last prayer before you eat me.”
“Speak quickly, your time in the sun is ending.” Bear returned.
“Oh Bear,” Chipmunk continued, for he believed he was very clever, “Indeed it is, but you are pressing down on me so hard I cannot breathe. I do not have enough breath to say a prayer. If you would just lift your paw a little, then I could breathe. And I could say my last prayer to the Maker of all, to the one who made great, wise, powerful Bear and the foolish, weak, little Chipmunk.”
Bear lifted his paw, because he was great and therefore, he must be merciful. He lifted it just a little bit, but that little bit was just enough. Chipmunk squirmed free, for he was clever as Bear was great, and ran for his hole in the blink of an eye. Bear swung his paw once more at Chipmunk. He was not quick enough to catch him, but the very tips of his claws scraped the Chipmunk’s back leaving three pale scars behind.
To this day, all chipmunks wear those scars as a reminder about what happens when you keep your pride unchecked.
(Story adapted from The Ultimate Camp Resource)