A Breakfast for Little Bear, Pages 13-16
Hungry Little Bear strikes out on his own
Welcome back to The Little Islandšļø. Iām Charlie Shifflett, the sole proprietor and sometime resident of this clod of dirt in an imaginary ocean. In this edition, I continue my illustrated childrenās story about Little Bear, which I am publishing first here on Substack in installments. Need a refresher? You can read previous story installments here.
Pages 13 & 14
Story Text
Eventually, Little Bear turned from the gravel road he had been following and wandered into the forest.
Before his mother had disappeared, Little Bear had eaten well. She had brought him berries and fish and ladybugs (and beetles, too, though they were a little too crunchy for his taste).
But then a big thunderstorm had come and shaken the woods like a bag of rocks. Trees fell. Rain flooded the creek. And Little Bear never saw his mother again.
Ever since, Little Bear had struggled to find enough food. The campers had presented the best opportunity for food in weeks. Now, Little Bear had to find it by himself.
Pages 15 & 16
Story Text
Soon, a world of spring smells filled Little Bearās nose: pollen, pine needles, wet earth and moss. But what could he eat?
Little Bear approached something that looked and smelled vaguely familiar: a prickly bush with soft, pointed leaves and little green berries.
Little Bear lifted a branch to his mouth and bit off a mouthful of leaves, stem and berries.
The taste was...not what he expected. These berries were dry, a little too chewy, and they lacked the sweetness of the berries his mother had given him.
No, this would not do at all.
