The Girls and the Bear
(Adapted from the Brothers Grimm)
A long time ago, a family lived happily in an isolated cottage in the middle of a forest. Father was a carpenter, making beautiful wooden furniture from scratch. Mother grew the vegetables for wonderful fresh meals, as well as the most gorgeous scented roses. The couple had two daughters named Raven and Rosa. Raven loved the outdoors and was most happy collecting mushrooms and herbs in the forest; while Rosa was quieter and loved to tend to their milk cow and gather flowers. Both girls loved animals and nature; and both had very good hearts.
One day, Father set off deep into the forest to gather wood, as he often did. The day passed as normal, but as evening drew in, the family began to get concerned. Their dad always came home before dark. The night stretched slowly on and daybreak came; and still he did not appear. The heartbroken family searched for days but there was no sign of their dad.
Days passed into weeks and weeks into months. Every day the girls went out searching for their dad, returning home at the end of the day to console their mother. Winter was coming. One night, they were having their dinner when a loud knock boomed at the door. Mother went nervously to see who was there and fell backwards in shock. Standing in the doorway was an enormous bear!
Even more surprising, the bear spoke, “I do not wish to harm you; I am wet and cold. May I come in?” The kind-hearted family overcame their fear and invited the bear inside. They shared their meagre meal with him and allowed him to dry off in front of the fire. Every night after that, the bear returned. After dinner, the girls would brush his fur until it gleamed.
One day, the girls were searching in the forest for their dad; when they came across a peculiar little man – his long beard was caught on a tree branch. He had a nasty scowl on his face and he shouted at them, “Just go away!” Even so they helped him by cutting his beard and setting him free. He was not grateful at all and began to threaten them, waving his fists.
With that, a loud crashing was heard, and the bear bounded into the forest clearing. He swiped the man with his enormous paw; sending him flying through the trees. As he went, the man dropped a red rosebud and Rosa quickly picked it up. As she did so, there was a great spark of shimmering blue light all around the bear. To the astonishment and delight of the girls, the bear turned into their father.
“My kind and loving daughters,” he said, with a big grin on his face; “you have broken the evil enchantment!” The girls rushed over to their dad and gave him a big hug. The three made their way home to their cottage and they all lived happily ever after.
