The Adventures of Philip and Sophie DOUBLE FEATURE by Drew Eldridge - HTML preview
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.
Chapter 7
Henry the Bear
All of the Brumbledumbs gathered at the border to say goodbye. They o"ered our hero some of their bananas as a gift, but he didn’t take any. Winter had nearly arrived and the boy knew the large family would need every one of them to survive. Especially the little ones.
“Thank you, everyone!” he shouted. “See you in spring! Goodbye! I’ll miss you!”
“Thank you!” the apes all shouted back. “You’re welcome any time! Goodbye! Stay warm!”
It was a lovely end to another lovely visit. And when our heroes left, there were many more animals who came to say goodbye, for now that the Black Beard Gang had been defeated—as well as almost all of the other bullies—
the forest $nally felt safe again. The friendly animals could come out and play one last time before the seasons changed.
“Hello!” they would squeak as the boy passed by.
“Thank you for saving us!”
“You’re welcome!” he would reply.
Some animals would even come right up and let the boy pet them. Or, if they were small enough, they would 46
sit on his shoulder as he walked, regaling him with news and gossip about the forest. Who was being naughty?
Who was being nice? What kinds of new villains might be emerging? Which way home should our hero go? And so on.
“Hey! Psst! Listen! There are some apples over there!
No one’s seen them yet!” a little bird whispered in his ear.
“Thanks!”
Or . . .
“Be careful, sonny, there is quicksand ahead . . .”
It was the old turtles who gave him that advice.
“Sure,” he replied. “Thank you for telling—”
“Young whipper snappers! Run’n round without any patience! Darn kids ain’t got no virtue, I tells ye! No virtue! What’s wrong with parents these days?”
“Oh, umm . . . that’s too bad. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Never mind that, sonny. You best be heading home.”
“Right!”
“Wisely and slow, now. They stumble who run.”
“I will. Bye, Mr. Turtle!”
But along the way there was one animal who caught the boy’s attention more than any other: his old friend, Henry the Bear. He was large, had thick bushy brown fur and was always smiling and singing merrily wherever he went. Our hero heard him and rushed over to say hello.
La! La! La! Berries! Berries!
Squash ‘em in my mouth!
Row after row!
On our way down south!
Yummy, yummy berries!
Apples, bananas, peas and cherries!
What better place than in . . .
Bears’ bellies!
La! La! La!
47
Ava wanted to ignore it and just keep going. But it was too late.
“Henry! Hey, over here!” the boy called out.
“Oh! Hello, there!” Henry answered. “Why, what a wonderful surprise! Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Henry the Bear was one of our hero’s favorite animals in the whole forest. He’d met him when he was very young. Henry taught him how to "sh and do many other tricks. “If you let the little "shies go, they’ll grow into bigger "shies later for you to eat, ” the boy remembered him saying . Henry had kept the boy close ever since.
Ava, on the other hand, didn’t like Henry at all. She thought his singing was annoying and that his laugh was stupid. And he laughed a lot because he was always tickling himself.
“Ah, hah! Ah, hah, hah, hah, hah! Muah! Hah! Hah!
Hah!”
Just like that.
Ava put up with him when he was around but was always eager to get away as soon as possible.
“Yeah! It’s a nice surprise to see you too!” answered the boy. “How’s your summer been?”
“Oh, simply un-bear-able!” answered Henry with a chuckle. “The ground is dry. There isn’t a single blueberry anywhere! Not even in the meadows. I haven’t eaten a thing in three days.”
“Oh, I see,” said the boy, feeling concerned.
“But you seem to be doing quite well for yourself. Yes!
You are much taller than I saw you last! A plump belly!
And—such nice round thighs . . . He! He!”
The boy glanced down at himself.
“Thanks . . . I guess . . .” he answered, shrugging.
“You are very welcome! So polite, too.”
Henry patted the boy on his head with his great big bear paw.
“Maybe I can help you?” our hero asked.
48
He went into one of his pockets and pulled out a little pouch.
“I’ve been collecting acorns. See?”
Henry’s eyes lit up.
“Oh! Acorns! Wow! I can see that you have! Very clever! Yes! Look at that, Ava! Now, that is SMART
isn’t it?”
Ava rolled her eyes.
“Here,” said the boy, putting his hand out. “Have some.”
“No! Oh, no! I couldn’t! You’ve earned those fair and square. You keep them. Besides—Heh! Heh! We bears prefer softer . . . juicier things . . . like "sh or honey.
Acorns would only give me a belly ache. And you wouldn’t want that, now, would you?”
“No . . .” said the boy sadly. He slouched and looked ashamed that he didn’t have anything else to give.
“Aw! Don’t worry about me, bucko. Your old Uncle Henry will be alright. I always am! Muah! Hah! Hah!”
Henry patted him on the head again and playfully messed up his hair. He burst out laughing and started tickling himself. Then he started tickling the boy and made him laugh too, to cheer him up.
“Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Tickle! Tickle! He! He! I wouldn’t mind your company, though! Which way are you headed, my boy? Maybe your old Uncle Henry could come too!
He! He!”
“Which way do you think we’re headed?” asked Ava grouchily. She couldn’t take the laughing and playing anymore. “Overgrown weasel! It’s nearly winter. We’re going home! Where else!?”
“Oh, really? What a coincidence! I’m going that way too! And, yes, it is almost winter, isn’t it? Silly me! Look at the time! I must have forgotten!” Henry was still having fun tickling the boy, who was rolling in laughter from it.
Our hero liked that game. “Look! Everyone is out looking 49
for food to survive, but me! What a fool I am! He!
He! He!”
“No. You can’t come with us. Buzz o"! Go and annoy someone else.”
“Aw, come on Ava,” said the boy, getting back up. “It’ll be fun. I want him to come. I haven’t seen Henry in a long time. Besides, he’s my friend.”
Henry smiled a great big bear smile at Ava, showing all of his teeth. There was something strange about this bear. She didn’t trust him.
“Yes, come on, Ava! Don’t be such a spoilsport. We’ll get the boy home safe. We just want to have a little fun on the way, that’s all. Sing a little! Talk! I’ve got some new jokes I could tell you guys! Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Ava looked at the boy, who seemed very eager for Henry to come. She didn’t like the idea one bit. That’s when Henry whispered something to her.
“Psst . . . Hey, come on. Give the kid a break. You know he has a hard winter ahead of him this year. We both know it could be his last. Don’t spoil this for him.
He’s a good boy and deserves a laugh or two. You’ve trained him well. Give him a break just this once.
Whaddya say, old pal?”
He reached out to pat Ava on her head too, but stopped when he saw the look in her eye, as if she’d bite him. No one pet Ava—ever.
Nevertheless, Henry did have a point. He got her thinking. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all. The boy had worked hard and done well. Besides, with Henry around, they might even be able to get there faster and safer. It was the only redeeming thing about him, in her opinion. No one ever tried to ambush them when Henry was nearby.
“Alright, #ne,” she #nally relented.
“Really? Oh, yeah! Great!” the boy exclaimed. “Did you hear that, Henry? You can come!”
50
He hugged his bear friend tightly.
“Hurray!” Henry cheered with a chuckle. “Ho! Ho!
Ho! You’re right, my boy! She said so, indeed! Ho! Ho!
Ho! What a great friend! Come on! Let’s go!”
“Yeah!”
They turned around and started walking together.
Finally, they could get moving. That’s all Ava really wanted at that point. But no sooner had they taken their
"rst steps, then Henry suddenly stopped again.
“Oh! Wait!”
Our two heroes halted with him.
“What is it, Henry?” the boy asked.
“Make it quick,” said Ava.
Henry cleared his throat. He seemed a little di#erent than usual. But Ava couldn’t "gure out what it was.
“Ahem! Well, nothing really. I just thought of an idea.
That’s all.”
“What?” asked the boy.
“Err—well, what about if we go . . . this way . . . instead . . . over here. Heh! Heh!”
“That way? Hmm . . .” It was something of an odd re-quest. Even the boy thought so. “Why?” he asked.
“Yeah, why?” Ava asked too, but with more suspicion.
“Oh, you know . . . it’s just a little easier . . . for these old legs o’ mine. Not quite as rocky. It’s shorter too.”
“And more dangerous,” added Ava.
“Not with me around it ain’t. Heh! Heh! I don’t mean to intrude, of course. It’s up to you. We can go any way you please. I just thought you wanted to get home sooner than later. Perhaps I was wrong.”
“Sure, we can go that way, Henry,” answered the boy. He felt bad that he couldn’t give Henry any food earlier. But at least he could help make the trip easier for him. “Especially if you’re around. What could go wrong?”
Henry felt very touched and giggled.
“Aw, you are very kind.” Then he hugged the boy 51
“Aw, you are very kind.” Then he hugged the boy again. “What a good, good boy you are!”
Ava didn’t like the idea. But the storm was blowing in fast. She didn’t want to waste any more time. The sooner they got home, the better.
“Alright then! It’s settled!” Henry shouted out excitedly before she could answer. He wagged his stubby little tale. “Hah! Follow me! Your Uncle Henry will lead the way. Mauh, hah, hah! Come on, Ava! Pick up your feet!
Quit doddling back there! Muah! Hah! Hah! Muah hah, hah, hah, hah!”
52
The Tunnel to Snake Valley
The only thing the boy ever found odd about Henry the Bear was how he very often broke into "ts of uncon-trollable laughter—even when nothing funny had happened.
“Brah! Hah! Hah! Hah! . . . Brah! Hah! Hah! Hah!
Hah! Hah! . . . Ooh! Hoo! Hoo! Hah! Hah! . . . Hah! Hah!
Hah! . . .”
Though usually, it was because of the stories or jokes he’d tell.
“And then!” he would say as they walked. “I fell so in love with her . . . Brah! Hah! Hah! Hah! . . . that I began chasing her around . . . Brah! Hah! Hah! Poor thing! I think she thought I was trying to eat her! Brah! Hah! Hah!
Brah! Hah! Hah! . . .”
The boy didn’t understand most of Henry’s jokes.
They were too strange. But when he saw Henry laugh at them, he laughed too, for of all his favorite things, there was nothing that pleased him more than seeing his friends happy.
Ava, on the other hand, didn’t care for his songs or jokes at all. She thought they were silly. So, as they walked, she would trail silently behind as the lookout.
“Could you two bu$oons please keep your cackling to a minimum? You’re going to wake up the tigers!”
“Ah, relax Ava,” said Henry as though she were spoiling all the fun. “You’re almost home. We just need to pass through this little tunnel here "rst. But beware! He!
He! The way is treacherous. Many pits! The slightest mis-step may lead you hurtling to your doom. Brah! Hah!
Hah! Hah!”
The boy didn’t see what was so funny about that, but he did as he was told. They went into the tunnel and stepped very carefully. It was dark and full of large cracks 53
you could fall through. Sometimes thunder from the approaching storm would make everything shake. It made a deep rumble and echo that Henry said sounded like his hungry belly. He tickled himself all the way down and hummed. Many times, Ava thought about throwing him down one of the pits. Our hero just focused on not slipping.
At one point, he did almost slip and fall. They turned a corner to where some bats were hanging. They awoke and started "ying all around him. Shooing them away made him stumble over a rock. He nearly went down a pit, but was caught by Henry just in time.
“Careful, laddy!” he said. His voice echoed loudly
“Brah! Hah! Hah! Oh my! That was a close one. Brah!
Hah! Hah!”
The boy gulped.
“Thanks!”
Henry lifted and dropped him safely back on the path.“Fool!” chided Ava. “Watch your step!”
“Sorry.”
“Whose idea was it to come in here anyway?” she asked. “I don’t remember this tunnel.”
“Oh, ‘tis a secret tunnel. Tee! He! He! Only us bears know about.”
“Well, I don’t like it one bit,” Ava answered.
“Hah! Where’s your sense of adventure? We’re having fun! Aren’t we, my boy?”
Henry smiled with all of his teeth again.
“Yeah, I guess . . .” our hero answered, brushing himself o$.
“Come on,” said Ava. “How much longer to Snake Valley? Our cave isn’t far from there. You said this way would be faster.”
“Oh, yes. Anytime now. The tunnel leads right to it.
There is even a song about it. Shall I sing it for you?”
54
The boy wasn’t sure he wanted Henry to sing either.
There wasn’t much light. He couldn’t see well. He had to focus on the ground or he would slip again for sure.
“Suit yourselves!” laughed Henry. “It matters not. Besides, we’re already here! And, by golly, right in time for the sunset!” Henry darted out excitedly. “Come on. I’ll race you!” They both ran now that they could see. The tunnel led out to a cli# that overlooked the whole rocky valley. “Oh, wow! Oh, my! Beautiful! Beautiful! Isn’t it?”
The boy liked sunsets too. Both of them stood astonished.
“Well? What do you think?” asked Henry.
“It’s a great spot! And thanks for the shortcut,” our hero answered.
“It’s my pleasure,” Henry said tenderly. He saw that Ava wasn’t out of the tunnel yet. He took the opportunity to speak alone with the boy.
“You know . . .” he said, suddenly becoming serious.
The boy looked up at him and listened closely. “I . . . I don’t have many friends . . .”
“Hmm? What do you mean, Henry?” he asked. He was a little surprised. Usually, Henry didn’t talk seriously.
But something seemed to be troubling him.
“Oh, nothing . . .” he sighed. “I just get lonely sometimes, I suppose.” He kept checking over his shoulder for Ava to come out. It was very odd behavior, indeed. “I spend all the winter alone . . . without anyone to watch sunsets with or share a meal with. And . . . well . . . I wanted to tell you . . . before you two go to your home . . .
that . . . I really like you a lot . . . and am so grateful to have you as a friend . . . and for all the fun you’ve given me over the years.”
He looked so sad as he spoke. It sounded like it might be the last time they’d see each other.
All kinds of terrible thoughts went through our hero’s 55
mind—images of Henry feeling sad and su!ering alone in his bear cave. Maybe Henry didn’t have enough food to survive in winter this year. Maybe he was sick—or sick with loneliness. He kept listening.
“Anyways . . .” Henry sighed, drying his tears. “What I am trying to say is . . . I’ll miss you.” He patted the boy on the head. “You have been like a cub to me.”
“You’ve been a good friend too, Henry,” the boy answered. “But we’ll see each other again.”
“I hope so.”
Henry checked over his shoulder again. He saw Ava’s shadow in the cave. Soon, she’d be out.
“And what about your dear wolf friend?” Henry asked next. “She is wonderful, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, she’s great.”
“She loves you so much. So much, in fact, I think she would even die for you. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yeah,” answered the boy sadly. “She would. She’s the best. Actually she . . .”
The boy paused. Something seemed to be saddening him.“Yes? What is it, my boy? What’s troubling you? Tell me. You can tell your old Uncle Henry.”
“Well, it’s just . . . she did almost die last winter . . .
just like you said.”
“Really? Oh, how terrible! I had no idea. What happened?”
“Well,” he said gulping, holding back his tears. “I keep getting bigger, you see.”
“Yes, I see that. Heh . . . Heh . . .”
“And so, I keep needing more food. I wish I didn’t but
—well, last year we didn’t have enough. We both got sick.
But she got real sick—and almost died.”
“Oh!” sighed Henry sensitively. “How awful! She gave you her portions so you wouldn’t starve. How much she must love you.”
56
“Yeah . . . and I’m not sure we’ll have enough this year either. Though, I’ve done my best. I really have.”
Ava emerged from the cave and saw them talking.
“Yes, that you have, laddy! You’re a good boy.” He patted our hero on the head again and wiped his tears for him. “But here she comes. Shh!” he whispered. “Don’t worry! Your Uncle Henry will help you out. I’ve got a little surprise for you. It’s just down the hill here. You’ll see! But here she comes! Let’s just keep this little chat between you and me, shall we?”
The boy nodded.
Henry smiled and turned around.
“Ho there! Ava! Over here! Glad you made it out, old friend! So wonderful to see you!”
Ava looked at them suspiciously, wondering why they were looking at her so fondly all of the sudden.
“What?” she asked, disgusted.
“Yes, me too!” said the boy running up to her. “I’m glad you’re here!”
He gave Ava a big hug.
“Ugh—yuck! Get o# me!” She pushed him o#.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“Sorry!”
“What were you two talking about?”
“Oh, nothing,” answered Henry. “Only that we should get you and our handsome young man here back home as soon as possible.”
“Hmph,” Ava sco#ed. “Well . . . good. Let’s go then.”
“Yes! Yes! How stupid of me for stalling! Thank you for being so patient with a forgetful old bear like me. Tee!
He! He!”
He then whispered to the boy before running on ahead.
“Psst! Follow me! This way! I have a surprise. You have nothing to worry about. Come! Come down here and see for yourself!”
57
He tickled and pinched himself as he ran and began another song:
Friends! Friends!
Helping each other!
Friends! Friends!
I’ve got one like no other!
I’m gonna surprise my friend!
It’s just around the bend!
We just need to descend . . .
A little farther!
58
Henry’s Surprise
As I am sure you can tell by now, dear reader, our hero wasn’t very bright. It was his one big weakness. Henry the Bear knew this and used it to set a most ingenious trap for him. A trap that would have very painful consequences, but also lead to the beginning of one of the greatest adventures ever told.
It’s a very sad part of our story, I’m sorry to have to tell you. It’s also, I’m afraid, quite scary. If there was ever a time to skip ahead or hide under the covers, that time would certainly be now. But if you’re feeling brave, I would encourage you to read on. Here is what happened to him that day.
After guiding our hero and Ava through the tunnel, Henry led them down into Snake Valley—a dark, barren and dusty wasteland that was famous for its tall, thin mountain in the middle, called Snake Mountain. It was black and jagged looking—like out of a nightmare—and full of little holes where the deadliest snakes lived. At night, you could see their eyes glowing out of the shadows.
If it was quiet enough, you could even hear their hisses and whispers.
The snakes guarded a tree at the top that was full of plump, juicy fruit. Many animals in the forest had ventured there and tried to climb for it, but all had failed.
Skeletons lay at the bottom and the whole valley was teeming with vultures. They sat in their nests, patiently waiting for whoever would be next. When they saw Henry guiding our hero there, they licked their lips and cackled.
Ava didn’t want to be down there at all. She didn’t like Snake Valley. Least of all, she cared for surprises. Besides, the #rst storm of winter was approaching. It was closing in fast. That meant it wasn’t long before the winter predators 59
would arrive. The winter predators were stronger than she was and she was afraid that they might even be stronger than our hero, for his abilities had not yet been tested against them. All of this made her very nervous.
“Listen,” she said. “I don’t think we should be here now. Can you please get this over with so we can go home?”
“Relax, Ava,” answered Henry. “You’ll both be warm soon enough. I promise! Hee, hee . . .” He stopped when they got to Snake Mountain. “Well, here we are!
Surprise!”
He directed our hero’s attention up to the fruit at the top. The sunlight glimmered through it. It looked beautiful—and so delicious. But our hero wasn’t excited. If anything, he just looked sad.
“Hmm? What’s wrong?” asked Henry. “Look! Look!
Don’t you see it?”
“Yeah, I see it,” answered the boy. A cold shiver went down his spine as he remembered all his friends who had climbed and fallen.
“You mean, you know
about this fruit?”
“Yes,” the boy answered,
lowering his eyes. “I’m sorry,
Henry. I know you were
wanting to surprise me. But
I’ve been here before. I know
about this place. I have for a
long time. But that fruit is im‐
possible to get. Snakes live
there. I’ve seen them. They’re
very dangerous. One bite can
kill. They guard it day and
night. Not even birds will #y
up there. It’s hopeless. I’m
sorry . . .”
60
“Yeah,” added Ava. “What kind of surprise is this? We know about this place. Everyone does! This is what you wanted to show him? Come on, kid. Let’s go. Henry, it was nice knowing you. Do us a favor now and buzz o!.”
Ava turned to walk away and signaled the boy to follow, but Henry wasn’t #nished with them yet.
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” he laughed, clapping his paws together.
“What?” asked Ava.
“Did you really think that showing you this fruit would be my surprise?”
“You did say ‘surprise,’ Henry,” answered the boy, confused.
“Yes, but it wasn’t the FULL surprise. You haven’t yet seen that.”
“Well, get on with it then!” yelled Ava at him. She was getting very impatient with all his games. “We don’t have all day!”
“Patience, my friends! Patience!” he chuckled. “It will happen any moment now.”
Our hero was intrigued. What could he possibly be waiting for?
“I discovered it two years ago,” Henry continued, “as I was walking in these parts, not too far from here. Walking and singing my favorite song! Ahem! Ahem!
I hear a buzzing!
And buzzing means there’s bees.
And if there are bees buzzing!
Then there must be hon-ey.
And if there is honey!
Way up in this tree.
Then that means the honey . . .
Must certainly be for me!
“Gah, hah! Come on! Sing it with me! You know the 61
“Gah, hah! Come on! Sing it with me! You know the words!”
But the boy didn’t know that song at all and just looked confused. Ava didn’t look like she wanted to sing either. So, he just went back to telling his story.
“Ahem! Well! Anyways! As I was saying . . . after I—
ugh—asked for the honey very politely, the bees were generous enough to give me some. I took it to this spot so I could sit and eat it. I gazed up and saw the fruit! Oh, how delicious it looked! Perfect for winter! See how it glows!
But, drat! So high up! Too high! And so very dangerous to climb too! Especially at my time of life! I almost left at that moment. It seemed like an impossible task, as you said. But then—and I don’t know what it was—something inside me told me to wait just a little longer. So, I did. And that’s when it happened!”
Henry started wagging his stubby little tale as he recalled it. Our hero’s eyes lit up curiously.
“What, Henry? You saw what?”
“Well, take a look, my boy! And see for yourself!”
Our hero and Ava looked at each other confused and shrugged. Neither of them saw anything out of the ordinary. Snake Mountain seemed as it always was—barren and dry. But then, suddenly, a cold gust of wind swooshed down into the valley from the approaching storm. A wind so strong that it frightened the vultures and even toppled a few of their nests. They all began cackling and #eeing.
Then the wind hit Snake Mountain. You could hear it whistle as it passed through the little holes. That’s when our hero and Ava saw what Henry was talking about.
Terri$ed and frozen, all of the snakes suddenly slithered out of the mountain. They came out and down the slope. They raced right past our heroes and Henry, and down into the ground wherever there were open spaces. It wasn’t long until Snake Mountain appeared entirely empty. But the fruit in the tree near the top was still in-tact. Our hero and Ava were left utterly astonished.
62
“Hah, hah!” laughed Henry. He began dancing and prancing around, tickling and pinching himself more.
“Ooh, hoo, hoo! Heehee! Look! Look! It worked! It happened again! I knew it! I knew it! Look! Snake Mountain is empty!”
“Wow . . .” gasped the boy in amazement. “Yeah, you’re right. It sure looks like it.”
At #rst, Ava thought it was just a stupid trick that only two stupid animals like Henry and our hero could possibly be amused by. But then she started to realize what Henry was doing—and became very upset.
“Hey! Wait a minute! This is your big surprise? You want to climb up there?”
“What? Me! Hah!” Henry cackled. “You must be jok-ing. Look at me! I could never get up there. My paws are too big to grip the holes. And at my time of life!?”
“Oh, so you want him to go and get it for you then? Is that it?”
“I never said that,” answered Henry. “But now that you mention it, it does sound like an interesting idea . . .
doesn’t it, sonny?”
“Oh, please. You expect us to believe that? No—you planned this whole thing out, didn’t you? Let me guess.
You didn’t prepare for winter. You want us to do your work for you. Well, you can forget it.”
“Ava,” sighed Henry, o$ended. “I would never ask either of you to do a thing like that for me. I brought you here so that you two could have it, not me.”
“Why!?”
“Why? Well, because you’re my friends! Right, bucko?” he said, turning to the boy. Our hero agreed.
“I don’t believe it!” answered Ava. “A bear dragging someone all the way out here just to be generous? No, you’re up to something! I know it!”
Henry crossed his arms and looked very hurt by her words.
63
“Besides,” Ava continued, “even if he were to climb up there—how is he supposed to get it down? Did that thought ever cross your brain?”
“Now, now, Ava,” chuckled Henry. “Look, I wouldn’t expect you to understand. But some of us like helping others. Don’t we, my boy?” Our hero nodded. “And, of course, I’ve thought of that! How would he get it down?
What a silly question! Why don’t you open your eyes and see? Look! Right over here!”
Henry strutted over to a small but deep pool of water that was located beneath where the fruit hung. He dipped his paw in and splashed them with it just to make sure they knew he wasn’t lying.
“Hah! You see, laddy? You can drop it right in here.
The water will break its fall. Easy!”
The boy ran over and inspected it for himself. It was indeed under the fruit. It seemed wide and deep enough.
Everything checked out.
“It’s perfect!” he yelled out. “You know what? I think it could actually work!”
“Exactly! You see? Your old Uncle Henry came through, just like he said!”
Henry messed up his hair and splashed him some more. Our hero laughed wildly and then threw himself into the bear’s arms, giving him a big hug.
“Oh, Henry! Thank you! I love the surprise! You’re so smart! You’re the best bear in the world! Thank you! I love you!”For a moment, Henry felt a little guilty, reader. His plan was working perfectly. As bad a bear as he was, there was something about the boy that sometimes made him feel warm and fuzzy. He didn’t like the feeling. But he had to pretend to.
“Aww . . .” he #nally said. “Thank you . . .” He patted our hero on the head and proceeded to pry him o$. “But you’d better hurry. Look! It’s growing colder every 64
minute! Winter is coming. The edges of the pond are beginning to freeze. You don’t have much time. If you wait any longer, whatever falls here will be squashed—and become a frozen jelly popsicle!”
He licked his lips and smiled. Our hero looked over at the approaching storm and agreed. But Ava still wasn’t buying it. And she was growing more frustrated.
“No!” she barked and growled. “You mustn’t do this!
The storm is too close. Even if you managed to get to the top, and even if there are no snakes left, there is no time!
It’s too dangerous. We’re running late as it is! I can’t believe how foolish you two are. You’re so—”
But as Ava became enraged and began to scold him, as Henry predicted she would, the clever bear put his paw on the boy’s shoulder and began whispering.
“Aww . . . Ava really does care about you, doesn’t she?
Look at how protective she is. I think that’s what I would miss most about her, wouldn’t you?”
This caught our hero’s attention and made him completely stop listening to whatever Ava was saying.
“Yeah . . .” he nodded sadly.
Henry frowned and continued.
“Oh, I can’t bear the thought of Ava starving again.
The illness it caused. Then you would be alone. I’m sure you can imagine what that might be like. Have you thought about it sometimes? Being alone?” The boy nodded again and lowered his eyes. “Yes, I thought so. Me too. Wouldn’t feel very good knowing you could have prevented it, either.”
“No . . .” our hero squeaked.
Ava just kept ranting angrily, not noticing what Henry was doing.
“But you can,” whispered Henry. “I know you want to. Because you’re such a good, good boy. You don’t want to be responsible for anyone dying, do you?”
“No . . .”
65
“Especially a slow and painful death. This is your friend!”
“Yeah . . .”
Tears were starting to form in his eyes.
“Well,” sighed Henry. “Then I think you know what you have to do. Climb it, son. Don’t let her die like this!
Save her! Choose life! It’s in your power. I’ve seen you climb. You’re SO good at it. You can do it! I know you can.
It will only take a minute if you hurry. But you mustn’t delay any longer. Please . . . I beg you . . . I don’t want us to lose her either. Do it for me, too!”
Henry had our hero almost shaking in sadness. He remembered how sick she got last year. He remembered how he felt. He would have done almost anything if he could have.
Ava was midway through her lecture about the danger before she noticed Henry had been talking to him. She became even angrier.
“Hey! Wait a minute! What are you!—” Until she saw the boy’s expression.
He had the same look he did last year in the cave. She knew instantly what Henry must have been whispering to him. She also realized that getting angry wasn’t going to change his mind. Yet, she knew she had to. She walked over. For the very "rst time in her life, Ava spoke gently to him.
“Don’t worry about me, kid . . . I’ll be "ne. Really.”
“That’s what you always say,” our hero despaired.
“But things keep getting worse every year—all because of me.”
He hated that he didn’t stop growing and always needed more food.
“Everybody dies one day,” she answered. “It’s just the way it is. We can’t change that. And I’m okay with it. Besides, I’m tougher than you think. I don’t believe I’ll die. I 66
might not even get sick. We’ve done good this year. I’m a survivor. I’ll be !ne. And even if I’m not, you will be.”
Henry didn’t like what he was hearing. He didn’t actually expect her to talk to him this way.
“But neither of us will survive if you climb this mountain now,” she continued. “It cannot be done. Not yet!
Listen, if you really want to that badly, we can come back next year. We can practice. We’ll do it right—plan it out and everything. But not like this. Don’t listen to him.
Trust me and let it go this time. Let’s go home.”
Henry was so worried she’d spoiled his plan, he was almost ready to charge and attack them right then and there.
“That blasted wolf!” he thought. “I’ll kill her for this!
I’ll tear her limb from limb! We’ll do it the old-fashioned way, if that’s what you want!”
But he did not show it. For the boy still didn’t seem like he had decided either way.
The boy looked at the storm. It was getting close. He looked at Ava. She looked like she wanted to go home. She wasn’t even mad at him anymore. He looked at Henry, who did his best to smile. Then, he cast his eyes down. He was out of time. He had to choose. So, he thought—which is something, as you know, he really wasn’t good at—and he made a very, very silly decision.
“I’m sorry, Ava. I . . . can’t . . . I just can’t bear the thought of losing you because of me—because I was too scared. I’m sorry. But don’t worry. I’m going to get it.
You’ll see. I’ll climb up and cut it down. We’ll have lots to eat this winter. You will be okay. I promise.”
And with that, Henry and Ava’s feelings switched.
Now, she felt like tearing Henry apart, and he felt better again.
“Oh! Good! Good! Good, boy! Yes, you can do it!” he said comforting him.
Our hero was expecting Ava to get angry again. But 67
Our hero was expecting Ava to get angry again. But instead, she just looked heartbroken.
“Fine . . .” she sighed, giving up. She knew there was no stopping him now. If she stalled him any longer, it would only make it more dangerous for him. “Go . . . if you must. But . . . please . . . please . . . be careful.”
Henry couldn’t help smiling and giggling. “Don’t worry,” said our hero. “I’ll be up and down in no time!” And he ran o#. “Trust me! I’ll be right back!”
68
The Fall
The forest was growing colder every minute. A blanket of snow covered the tree tops. Animals scurried to their burrows and caves. Those who weren’t prepared either froze or were buried.
Our hero heard the howling storm approaching, but it did not scare him. He felt the cold air run up his spine, but he did not "inch or shiver. He thought of only one thing: getting up Snake Mountain to get the fruit, so he could save his beloved friend from starvation.
“You know,” remarked Henry to Ava, as the boy began his ascent. “I never did understand why you, of all animals, get so ill in winter. You’re a wolf. You can go out and $nd food for yourself. There’s plenty to eat—rabbits, foxes, squirrels. All your favorites!”
“I don’t eat those,” Ava replied. “Not anymore.”
“Oh, yes . . . that’s right. I forgot! You’ve changed! You no longer eat any of the nice little creatures. But there are others. Lynxes . . . the polar bears . . . and—”
“I know that.”
But the problem was Ava couldn’t handle them one on one. She wasn’t even sure she could take them with help of the boy. He may have been strong, but he slow and clumsy in the snow. He wasn’t yet fully grown and adapted to the cold. Without a pack, and considering how much longer it took wounds to heal in winter, it was safer to remain in the cave, enduring with little.
“Oh, yes . . . I forgot about that too. You’d be alone out there! You know, that’s the other thing I’ve often wondered. I’ve always wanted to ask. Don’t you miss it sometimes? Being in a pack?”
“No,” replied Ava sternly.
“You were certainly in quite the powerful one, I must say. Maul’s gang—am I right?”
69
“In fact, I’ve heard you were quite the ranking o!cer!
Ho! Ho! Ho! And even more than that. I heard you two were once—”
“Would you be quiet already! Can’t you see I’m trying to watch! Buzz o"!”
She ran ahead to get a closer look. Henry followed her, wagging his little tail.
Our hero had only been climbing for a couple of minutes before he realized he was carrying far more than he needed. So, he dropped his sta", boomerang and pouches.
It all crashed to the ground.
“There, that’s better,” he said.
The holes in the mountain $t his hands and feet perfectly. It was simply a matter of $nding the fastest way up, for there were some areas with more holes than others and some patches with no place to grasp at all. He soon discovered there were also some old roots that grew down the side. If he reached one, he could use it like a rope and cover a lot of distance. He tried to reach those whenever he could. Though, he had to be careful. Some were rotten and would snap! He had a few close calls that made Ava very, very nervous as she watched.
“Wow! He’s going pretty fast!” laughed Henry.
“Faster than I expected! He’s already halfway up! You’ve trained him well. You should be proud!”
“I told you to be quiet! I’m not interested in talking to you, okay? Just leave me—”
But then something caught Ava’s attention. “What?
Oh no!” And she started running towards the mountain, barking. “Hey! Hey! Look out! Look out!”
Our hero only heard it faintly.
“Hmm . . . that’s strange,” he said. “Ava never barks—
unless there’s trouble. Is she okay?”
He looked down and saw her running aroundfrantically.
70
“Ava! What is it?” he yelled down. “Is something wrong? Hey, look how far I’ve climbed! I’m doing good!
I’m alright, see?”
Henry, of course, was enjoying all of this. He broke into another !t of laughter. Then, Ava got the idea to run in the direction she wanted him to look. Finally, she got him to turn his head.
“Ahh!” he yelled. Suddenly, out of nowhere, another storm cloud had formed. It was halfway between him and the greater storm that was already coming, meaning he had only half the time he previously thought. “Wow! No way! Where did THAT come from!?”
As far as Ava was concerned, it was over. It would be impossible to make it up and down in time now. It was 71
moving fast and even more violently, like a tornado in the sky. His only option was to give up.
“You can do it, laddy!” Henry then called out. “I believe in you! You can do it! Climb! Hurry! You must go fast! Look! You’re already half way!”
“Would you shut up!” growled Ava. “What are you trying to do? Look! It’s over! Stop encouraging him!”
Henry just laughed.
“Brah! Hah! Hah! Muah, hah, hah, hah, hah!”
Our hero had to make a decision. He looked up and thought about it. He looked down and thought some more.
He looked back up again. He looked back down. Then he looked at his #ngers, trying to calculate whether he had enough time. But he couldn’t do the math.
“Ugh . . . hmm . . . let’s see here . . . hmm . . . umm . . .
Ah, whatever!” he #nally decided. “I’m going to keep going! I can do it! I know I can. I must!”
Henry saw him begin climbing again and started dancing around to celebrate, wagging his behind and cheering.
“Ooh! Hoo! Hoo! Haw, haw! Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Ava would have attacked him if she wasn’t so worried about her friend.
“I can do it . . .” the boy repeated to himself. “I can do it . . .” He kept going faster and faster, thinking of how good it would feel to #nally reach the top! The proud look on Ava’s face as he got it down! “I can do it! Just a little further. I’m almost there!”
As the storm cloud got closer, however, the air grew much colder. Our hero’s #ngers numbed. His joints sti$‐
ened. He became slower and struggled to grip the rock.
Then the snow came. It whipped against his skin. Some of it melted—and then froze. A layer of ice began to form over him, just as it was forming over the pond below. It got into his eyes and caused his lids to stick. He had to wipe them over and over.
72
Soon, the cloud began to surround him. He couldn’t see the bottom anymore. Nor could Ava and Henry see him. The only light now came from the !ashes as the storm intensi"ed. The thunder and howling of the wind deafened him, sounding like a train screeching and grinding on tracks—coming straight towards him! Before long, he couldn’t see anything—not even the fruit. But he knew he was getting close.
From down below, it looked like a tidal wave in the sky crashing against the shore. And still, the worst of it hadn’t reached him.
The point soon came when our hero couldn’t climb any longer. It was so cold and windy he knew he would be blown o# if he dared move one of his hands or feet. But, feeling the storm getting worse, he knew that, soon, he was going to get blown o# anyways. So, he took his chances and, with all of his might, threw himself up, hoping there would be something, anything he could hold onto. In mid jump, he nearly got sucked away! But, somehow, by some blind stroke of luck, his hand caught the branch of the fruit tree.
He was now !ailing like a !ag on a pole, no idea whether he was being blown up, down or sideways. He knew only that he had made it. He was almost there!
“Come on . . .” he moaned. “Don’t give up now!”
Lightning struck next to our hero. He !inched and almost let go. With every ounce of remaining strength, he pulled himself up through the torrent, got a leg up and wrapped himself around the branch.
It was so loud he couldn’t hear his own cries—or even his thoughts. Nor could he breathe. The storm sucked away the air in front of him—sometimes right out of his lungs. All he could do was hang on now. There was nowhere left to go.
The last thing he remembered was looking up at the fruit on the tree. It was plump, bright and red—half-cov-73
ered in snow. But behind the fruit, where the wind was blowing from, was darkness. He saw the snow blowing in his face. He saw the black center coming towards him.
Lightning !ared all around it! It kept getting closer and colder and louder! He longed to cover his ears for fear his head would explode—but how could he let go of the branch? Then he saw a bright light.
A moment later, the branch snapped! With our hero half-conscious, wrapped around the trunk, the whole thing launched from the cloud like a cannon. On "re, it skipped down the mountain-side, slamming into the jagged rock over and over. Finally, it plunged into the pond. The ice shattered—along with most of our hero’s bones.
74
Henry Changes
Our hero awoke under freezing cold water, unable to move. He didn’t remember how he got there or even whether he was dreaming. All he knew was that he couldn’t breathe—and he began to panic.
Fortunately, Ava found him just in time. She dove in and pulled him out onto the snow. He coughed up water.
It froze as soon as it hit the air. That’s when the pain returned. All at once, every bone in his body felt like it was on #re. He cried out in agony.
“Quiet!” growled Ava. She was relieved he was alive, but terri#ed he would attract more danger. Winter’s predators always accompanied the #rst storm. They needed to get out of there as soon as possible. She could check on him later. “Can you stand?”
Our hero could not. He couldn’t even move—but only whimper.
“Agh! Ava . . .”
He started tugging on her fur with the only arm that worked.
“What?” she asked coldly.
“I’m . . . I’m sorry . . .”
“Never mind that, now. Just keep quiet. We’ll have to carry you.” She kept looking over her shoulder and sni$ng the air.
“O . . . okay . . .” the boy squeaked.
“Henry, come and give me a hand,” Ava called out.
But there was no answer. “Henry?” She looked around for him. He was standing in the snow, not moving, not talking, not even blinking. No expression on his face either.
He just stood there, staring.
“H-h-Henry . . .” the boy whimpered. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t . . . get it. P-please . . . help me . . .”
But he still wasn’t responding. It made Ava very ner-75
vous. She knew that look in his eye. She’d seen it in animals before. Finally, after it became perfectly clear our hero wasn’t getting back up, he spoke. His voice sounded very di"erent from before—lower and more serious.
“Step aside, Ava. You know the rules. Look at him.
He’s useless. He can no longer serve any purpose.”
Our hero didn’t understand, but Ava did.
“He’s $ne! He’s just hurt, that’s all.”
“Gah hah! Just hurt? Please! Look at him! He won’t last the night—and you know it.”
The boy couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Henry . . .” he whimpered. “W-what are you saying?
We’re friends!”
“Friends? Friends!? No, child. I don’t have any friends.”
“But . . . you said . . . you told me . . . and what about—”
“But nothing! I tricked you! Get it? I pretended to be your friend. Those were all lies! I just wanted to eat you!
That’s why I brought you here. Gah hah! I knew you’d be dumb and desperate enough to climb! I knew you’d fall.
And now, you’re mine!”
You could almost hear our hero’s heart break in two.
His eyes $lled with tears. The pain was even worse than his broken bones.
“No!” growled Ava. “Over my dead body.”
“But I want him.”
“Well, you can’t have him.”
“Why?”
“Because I won’t let you.”
“Why!?”
“Because—he’s too important.”
“WHY?”
“I don’t know why!” said Ava. “I just know he is and that’s enough. You can’t have him. Not him. And if you try, you’ll have to go through me.”
76
“Fine,” snarled Henry. “Let us settle it the old way. By the ancient law of combat, I will claim him.”
He lifted his massive paw and drew out his claws.
They were like a set of razor-sharp hooks. He smiled with all of his teeth. Ava bared hers as well. Her hackles shot up. She bent low, ready to charge. Henry charged first.“Grawr!” he shouted, like a battle cry. He began snorting and squealing like a pig with each stride. Snort, snort, snort! Wee! Wee! Then, he bellowed and roared like a bull. Moo!
Ava ducked under his paw as he swiped at her. It would have taken her head clean o". She bit into his side, tearing out a chunk of his #esh.
“Agh!” he cried. “Why, you little!” And he used his other paw to backhand her across the jaw. She #ew into the snow. Ava felt dizzy after that, and before she could get up, Henry charged again. He headbutted her this time.
She #ew through the air and landed in the pond, the same pond she had pulled our hero from. Henry laughed evilly and snorted some more.
“Brah! Hah! Hah! Snort, snort, snort. Where are you?
Snort, snort. ” Henry went to the pond and found her. He 77
sunk his claws into her and pulled her out. “Ah! Hah!
Gotcha! Heh! Heh! Heh!”
He held her up, thinking she was defeated. But she suddenly squirmed free enough to slash him across his left eye. Henry wailed and howled in pain. But it wasn’t enough to make him let go. He still held Ava in his clutches—and now he was angry.
“Agh! My eye! So, you want to !ght dirty, huh?”
He dunked her back under the water and held her there.
“Thought that was pretty funny, didn’t yeh!” he growled.
Our hero saw his friend "apping and struggling.
Henry was drowning her. The boy knew she didn’t have much time. Henry started laughing again.
“Brah! Hah, hah, hah! Look at her squirm! Having fun under there? Hee, hee, hee!”
The boy looked around. What could he do? That’s when he saw his spear. It wasn’t far. Maybe he could use his one good arm to crawl and get it. Maybe he could get Henry when he wasn’t looking. Slowly, the boy crawled towards it, trying the best he could not to whimper from the pain.
“Die! Die!” Henry cried out. “Muah! Hah! Hah!
Hah!”
Sometimes he would pull her out and give her a quick breath. But it was only because he wanted more time to enjoy drowning her. “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Finally, our hero made it to his spear. But he couldn’t stand up. Even holding it hurt. Still, he knew he had to save his friend. So, with the little strength he had left, he turned himself onto his back and launched his sta$ like a javelin. He could feel his broken bones move and the cuts on his body open up more. It hit Henry, but wasn’t nearly strong enough to stop him. At least it distracted him enough to save Ava.
78
79
“Agh!” Henry yelped. He spun around with fury in his eyes and looked at the boy like he was going to charge him next. He lifted Ava out and slammed her on the ground.
“Now,” he growled. She couldn’t move. “I want you to watch this, Ava. I want you to see me eat him. I want you to hear his cries and begging. I’ll start with his toes. Then his legs! Then his knees! His fat little belly! And last, his face!”
Henry looked thoroughly like a monster now. He licked his lips and began kicking his back leg like a bull ready to charge. He let out a bellow. Our hero was frozen in fear. Then Henry ran at him—snorting and oinking like a pig again. Snort, snort, snort. Wee! Wee! Moo! Ava was down. Our hero had no more defenses. He was helpless.
Wee! Wee! Snort, snort, snort! Henry ran right on top of the boy and then stood up on both his hind legs, like a giant. He looked down and roared at him.
The sound reminded the boy of being up in the storm.
It was over. He knew it. He closed his eyes and braced himself for his doom. But just before Henry struck, he heard a sound in the distance . . .
It was howling. Not Ava’s howling. Ava couldn’t howl like that. This was something di#erent. Henry recognized it. “No . . . no . . .” he stuttered. He crouched down and listened again, unsure of whether it was real or just the wind. But then he heard it again. “Oh, no! He’s here!
Maul and his pack!”
Maul was no ordinary wolf, reader. He was far bigger and stronger. Many didn’t believe he was a wolf at all, but a monster who was hiding in one. Even Henry was scared of him. Shuddering and trembling, he put his claws away and took o# running as fast as he could.
“He’s gone,” Ava groaned. “Good riddance.”
The boy was sprawled out, already half-buried in the 80
snow. It reminded Ava of when she !rst found him as a baby.“Now,” she said. “Listen! You’ve got to get up. We’ve got to go. Henry is gone. But Maul will be here soon. He’s a thousand times worse. I can’t take him by myself. His pack will track us down and !nd us.”
“I can’t, Ava,” our hero whined. “Look at me. I can’t even move. Just leave me. I don’t mind. Like you said, everybody dies.”
“Enough of that!” she barked. “Move it, I said! I never asked for your opinion! On your feet, soldier! NOW!”
“Ugh . . .okay . . .” he squeaked. “I’ll . . . try.”
“That’s it!”
He tried to pick himself up, but just collapsed. Then they heard more howls. Ava knew the wolves would be there any second.
“Grr! Get up!” she barked, losing all patience. “GET
UP! GET UP! GET UP! NOW!”
He tried again—but failed and fell even harder this time. Now he was screaming in pain.
“I can’t!” our hero cried. “I can’t . . . I’m sorry!”
“Blast!” said Ava. “Fine. Have it your way. I’ll carry you myself.” She got down, bit into his arm and threw him over her shoulder, onto her back. “Hold on,” she commanded him. “And bite down on my fur if you need to.
This is going to hurt—a lot. And you’re going to need to be quiet. No more of this whining.” And she took o$ at full speed.
Ava hurried with him through the rest of Snake Valley and into the woods that led to their cave. She could hear them growling and hungrily panting behind her, snapping at their heels. Weaving through the trees, she leaped over some of the traps the boy had laid. Two of the wolves got caught in them. She kicked a third down a pit with spikes at the bottom. There was still no sign of Maul, but she could smell that he was close.
81
Finally, she reached the secret back entrance to the cave. Just before the pack followed her in, she hit a switch the boy had made. Large, jagged stones dropped from the ceiling, crushing several more. Darkness and silence followed then, and our hero couldn’t tell whether he had lived or died.
82
