How Bear Became Black

Adapted from Robert James Challenger

Grandson sat on a rock looking over the bay. He was feeling very sad, and tears ran down his face. When Grandfather came by, he could clearly see that the young boy was troubled. Grandfather quietly said, “It is a warm sunny day, bright with light sparkling off the stream of the river. What could be making you feel so sad?”

Grandson replied, “My brother gets all the attention. Everyone always notices him because he is so tall.”

Grandfather sat down beside the boy and began to tell the story of Black Bear.

“Many years ago, all bears were white. That was a good thing for bears who lived where it was always snowing. They blended in and were hard to notice. It made it easy for them to hunt food and to avoid being hunted themselves. “But for bears who lived in the forest, it was not a good thing. Their white fur made them too easy to see. Animals could see Forest Bear from far away and would always have time to run for shelter. When hunters were out looking for Forest Bear, they could easily find him because his fur stood out against the dark trees.

“Coyote felt sorry for Forest Bear, so he transformed his white fur to the deepest black of the night sky. Now, as Black Bear, he can live happily among the trees. “In return for Coyote’s favour, Black Bear, make it a point always to help other animals. Over the years, Black Bear has become an honoured creature of the forest because of all the things he does for others.

“You see, “ said Grandfather to Grandson, “It is often easier to get along if the way you look does not make you stand out too much from others. Then just like Black Bear, you can stand out because of the good things you do rather than because of how you look.”