LITTLE BEAR
by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey · from Once upon a time animal stories
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, a boy wanted to go on a big trip. Little Bear, his sister, wanted to go.
"No, Little Bear," the boy said. He tied her to a door post. TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP. Little Bear followed. She carried the post. He tied her to a pine tree. TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP. Little Bear followed. She carried the tree. He tied her to a rock. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. Little Bear followed. She carried the rock.
They came to a wide river. The boy asked, "How can we cross?" Little Bear pushed the rock in. She put the pine tree on the rock. It made a bridge. They walked across safely.
"You can come," the boy said. They walked many days. They came to dark woods. They met a wolf. "The sun is gone," the wolf said. "An old woman took it."
"I can find the sun," Little Bear said. "Give me maple sugar." The wolf gave her two lumps. Little Bear went to the old woman's house. She put the maple sugar in the old woman's rice. The rice was too sweet. The old woman left her house. Little Bear found the sun. She threw the sun into the sky.
The old woman was angry. She stole the moon. The night was dark. The wolf told them, "The moon is gone."
"I can find the moon," Little Bear said. "Give me salt." The wolf gave her two pinches. Little Bear went to the old woman's house. She put the salt in the old woman's rice. The rice was too salty. The old woman left her house. Little Bear found the moon. She threw the moon into the sky.
The old woman was very angry. She caught Little Bear. She put Little Bear in a bag. She tied the bag to a tree. Little Bear bit a hole in the bag. She crawled out. She put pots and pans in the bag. The old woman came back. She hit the bag. CRASH! The pots and pans broke.
The boy and Little Bear found sun gold. They found moon silver. They became rich. Little Bear stayed with her brother. They traveled together. Little Bear, who seemed like a burden, proved to be the cleverest and best companion of all.
Original Story
LITTLE BEAR.
Once upon a time, there was an Indian boy and he had a little sister. Now the little sister was not like an Indian child, for she was a bear.
Early one morning the boy started out to seek his fortune, but Little Bear wished to go too.
“No, no, Little Bear, you cannot go. You must stay at home and watch the fire,” said her brother. Then he tied Little Bear to the door posts that she might not run away.
He had not gone very far on his journey when he heard TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP, in the path behind him. There was Little Bear following with the door posts on her back.
“Oh, Little Bear, I told you to stay at home and watch the fire,” said the boy.
He led Little Bear back, and this time he tied her to a pine tree.
He had not gone very far when he heard once more, TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP, in the path behind him. There was Little Bear following with the pine tree on her back.
“Oh, Little Bear, you must stay at home and watch the fire,” said the boy.
He led Little Bear back, and this time he tied her to a rock.
He started on his journey again, but he had not gone a stone’s throw, when he heard THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, in the path behind him. There was Little Bear following him with the rock on her back.
“What shall I do with you, Little Bear?” said the boy. But just then they came to a wide brook with no bridge to span it.
“How shall I cross?” said the little boy.
Little Bear pushed the rock into the water. She laid the pine tree across the rock for a bridge. They both walked across the brook in safety.
“Well, you may come with me, Little Bear,” said the boy.
They journeyed for many days until they came, at last, to some very dark woods. In the woods they met Brother Wolf carrying a candle to light him on his way.
“The sun is lost from the sky,” said Brother Wolf; “the old squaw pulled it down.”
“Oho, I can find the sun,” said Little Bear, “but you must first give me two lumps of maple sugar.”
Brother Wolf gave Little Bear two lumps of maple sugar and she hurried along until she came to the old squaw’s wigwam. The old squaw was stirring a kettle of rice over her fire. Little Bear crept up behind her. Little Bear dropped the two lumps of maple sugar into the kettle. As the old squaw stirred, she tasted her rice.
“It is too sweet,” she said; “I must go to the field for more.”
While she was gone, Little Bear found the sun, which the old squaw had hid in her wigwam. Little Bear tossed it back to the sky again.
When the old squaw came back from the rice fields and missed her sun, she was very angry. She looked for it many, many days, but the clouds hid it from her. Then, one night, she pulled the moon down, and hid that away in her wigwam.
So there was no light in the evening. Brother Wolf lighted his candle again, and he hurried after the boy and Little Bear, who had started on their journey again.
“The moon is gone from the sky,” said Brother Wolf, “the old squaw has pulled it down.”
“Oho, I can find the moon,” said Little Bear; “give me two pinches of salt, Brother Wolf.”
Brother Wolf gave Little Bear two pinches of salt, and Little Bear crept up to the old squaw again, and threw the salt in her kettle of rice.
“The rice is too salty,” said the old squaw, tasting as she stirred; “I must go to the field for more.”
While she was gone, Little Bear snatched the moon from the wigwam, where the old squaw had hid it, and tossed it up to the sky again.
Brother Wolf snuffed his candle, for he did not need it any more, but the old squaw was very angry. The old squaw ran after Little Bear. She caught her, and she put her in a bag, and tied the bag to a tree. Then she went for her spoon with which to beat Little Bear.
But while she was gone, Little Bear bit a hole in the bag with her teeth. She slipped out. Then she filled the bag with the old squaw’s pots and pans. When the old squaw came back, and began beating the bag, she broke all her dishes.
Then the boy and Little Bear picked up enough sun gold and moon silver which had fallen by the road to make them rich for always. And Little Bear traveled with her brother wherever he went after that. Was she not a clever Little Bear?
Story DNA
Moral
Sometimes, those who seem like a burden can prove to be your greatest asset.
Plot Summary
An Indian boy tries to leave his sister, Little Bear, behind on his journey, but she persistently follows him, even dragging along the objects he ties her to. Her unexpected strength proves useful when she uses these objects to help them cross a brook. Later, Little Bear cleverly outsmarts an old squaw twice, first by using maple sugar to retrieve the stolen sun, then by using salt to retrieve the stolen moon. When the angry squaw captures Little Bear in a bag, Little Bear escapes and tricks the squaw into breaking her own dishes. The siblings become rich from fallen celestial fragments and continue their adventures together, with Little Bear now a valued companion.
Themes
Emotional Arc
frustration to appreciation to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story draws on elements often found in Native American folklore, particularly trickster tales and explanations for natural phenomena (like the sun and moon).
Plot Beats (15)
- An Indian boy decides to seek his fortune, but his sister, Little Bear, wants to go too.
- The boy tries to leave Little Bear behind by tying her to a door post, then a pine tree, then a rock, but she repeatedly breaks free and follows him, carrying what she was tied to.
- The boy and Little Bear encounter a wide brook, and Little Bear uses the rock and pine tree she carried to create a bridge, allowing them to cross safely.
- The boy agrees to let Little Bear accompany him, and they journey until they meet Brother Wolf in dark woods, who tells them the sun has been stolen by an old squaw.
- Little Bear offers to find the sun in exchange for maple sugar, which she uses to make the old squaw's rice too sweet, forcing the squaw to leave.
- While the squaw is gone, Little Bear finds the sun in the wigwam and tosses it back into the sky.
- The old squaw, angered by the missing sun, later steals the moon, plunging the evening into darkness.
- Brother Wolf informs the siblings about the stolen moon, and Little Bear offers to retrieve it for two pinches of salt.
- Little Bear uses the salt to make the old squaw's rice too salty, again forcing the squaw to leave.
- Little Bear retrieves the moon from the wigwam and returns it to the sky.
- The old squaw, enraged, catches Little Bear, puts her in a bag, and ties it to a tree, intending to beat her.
- Little Bear bites a hole in the bag, escapes, and fills it with the old squaw's pots and pans.
- The old squaw returns and breaks all her dishes by beating the bag.
- The boy and Little Bear gather sun gold and moon silver that fell by the road, becoming rich.
- Little Bear continues to travel with her brother, proving her worth and cleverness.
Characters
Little Bear ★ protagonist
A small, sturdy bear cub, likely with dark fur, strong limbs, and a compact build, capable of carrying heavy objects like door posts, pine trees, and rocks. Her strength is disproportionate to her size.
Attire: None, as she is a bear. Her natural fur coat is her only covering.
Wants: To accompany her brother on his journey, to prove her worth, and to help solve problems.
Flaw: Her initial stubbornness to follow her brother despite his commands.
She transforms from a perceived burden (due to her stubbornness) into an indispensable and clever companion, proving her value to her brother and becoming a hero.
Stubborn, determined, resourceful, clever, loyal, persistent.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, sturdy bear cub standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has dark brown shaggy fur, small dark eyes, and a wet black nose. She carries a large, rough-hewn wooden door post on her back, held by her paws. Her expression is determined and slightly mischievous. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Indian Boy ◆ supporting
A young Native American boy, likely slender and agile, suitable for journeying. His build would be typical of a child, not overly strong but capable of travel.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for travel in a forest environment, such as a buckskin tunic, leggings, and moccasins. Colors would be natural earth tones like brown, tan, or muted green.
Wants: To seek his fortune and embark on an adventure.
Flaw: Underestimating his sister's capabilities and initially seeing her as a hindrance.
He learns to value and rely on his unusual sister, realizing her unique strengths are assets rather than burdens, and accepts her as a full companion.
Initially exasperated, practical, adventurous, eventually accepting, grateful, and appreciative of his sister's unique abilities.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Native American boy standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has straight black hair, dark brown eyes, and warm, tanned skin. He wears a simple buckskin tunic with fringed edges, matching leggings, and soft leather moccasins. His expression is one of mild surprise and growing fondness. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Brother Wolf ◆ supporting
A large, perhaps slightly gaunt wolf, with a coat that blends into the dark woods. He would have keen eyes and a cautious demeanor.
Attire: None, as he is a wolf. His fur is his natural covering.
Wants: To find light and restore the sun and moon to the sky, as he is affected by their absence.
Flaw: His inability to solve the problem of the missing sun and moon himself, relying on Little Bear.
He serves as an informant and a catalyst for Little Bear's heroic actions, ultimately benefiting from her cleverness.
Wary, observant, somewhat dependent on others for solutions, but willing to offer what he has (maple sugar, salt) for help.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, lean grey wolf standing on all fours, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has thick, shaggy grey fur, intelligent amber eyes, and a long snout. He holds a small, lit beeswax candle carefully in his mouth, casting a soft glow. His expression is cautious and slightly worried. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Squaw ⚔ antagonist
An elderly Native American woman, likely with a hunched back from age and work, and wrinkled skin. Her build might be frail but she possesses a surprising strength of will and anger.
Attire: Traditional Native American attire for an elderly woman, such as a simple, worn buckskin dress or a tunic and skirt made of natural fibers, possibly adorned with simple beadwork or fringe. Colors would be muted and earthy. She might wear a shawl or blanket.
Wants: To hoard the sun and moon, perhaps out of a desire for control or simply a cantankerous nature. She is driven by anger when her possessions are taken.
Flaw: Her anger and her love for her rice, which makes her susceptible to Little Bear's tricks.
She remains a static antagonist, repeatedly tricked and angered by Little Bear, ultimately losing her stolen celestial objects and breaking her own possessions.
Grumpy, possessive, easily angered, somewhat foolish (easily tricked by Little Bear), vengeful.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Native American woman with a hunched back, standing in front of a small fire. She has a deeply wrinkled face, small dark eyes, and long, braided white hair. She wears a simple, worn buckskin tunic and a fringed shawl over her shoulders. She holds a large wooden stirring spoon in her hand, stirring a cooking kettle. Her expression is stern and slightly annoyed. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Indian Homestead
A simple dwelling in a clearing, likely a wigwam or similar structure, with a prominent door post where Little Bear is initially tied.
Mood: familial, starting point of adventure
The boy attempts to leave Little Bear behind, tying her to various immovable objects, which she easily carries away.
Image Prompt & Upload
A clearing in a temperate forest, with a traditional Native American wigwam made of bark and hide in the background. In the foreground, a large, weathered pine tree stands next to a massive, moss-covered boulder. A narrow, well-trodden dirt path leads away into the dense woods. Soft, early morning light filters through the pine needles, casting long shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Wide Brook
A significant stream or small river, too wide to cross easily without a bridge, located within a natural landscape.
Mood: challenging, turning point
Little Bear demonstrates her strength and ingenuity by creating a bridge, convincing her brother to let her accompany him.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, clear brook with smooth, grey river stones visible through the shallow water. The banks are lined with lush green ferns and smooth, water-worn rocks. A sturdy pine log, stripped of its branches, spans the widest part of the brook, resting on a large, flat boulder in the middle. Sunlight glints off the moving water, and the air feels fresh and cool. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Dark Woods
A dense, foreboding forest where light struggles to penetrate, even during the day, creating an atmosphere of mystery and gloom.
Mood: mysterious, slightly eerie, adventurous
The children meet Brother Wolf and learn about the missing sun and moon, prompting Little Bear's quests.
Image Prompt & Upload
A deeply shadowed, ancient forest dominated by towering, dark-barked coniferous trees with thick, intertwining canopies that block out most of the sky. The forest floor is covered in a thick layer of pine needles and fallen leaves, with patches of moss and sparse undergrowth. A narrow, winding dirt path disappears into the gloom. A faint, cool light filters through the dense foliage, creating a somber, mysterious atmosphere. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Old Squaw's Wigwam
A traditional Native American dwelling, likely a wigwam, containing a fire, a kettle, and a hidden sun/moon. It is a place of domesticity turned sinister.
Mood: cozy but menacing, magical, secretive
Little Bear outsmarts the old squaw twice to retrieve the sun and moon, and later escapes her capture.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a traditional Native American wigwam, constructed from sturdy wooden poles covered with animal hides and bark, allowing some light to filter through the seams. In the center, a small, crackling fire glows warmly, illuminating a large, dark iron kettle suspended over it. The ground is covered with woven mats and furs. Various simple, utilitarian pots and pans hang from the internal poles. The air is smoky and warm. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
