Mom‘s fable about two soldiers and an old bear is best read aloud, to a child or a child at heart.

Or anyone who questions war.

Bear, Who Would Not Be a Soldier

There was once a bear who lived in shabby comfort in the heart of an old forest. He had been a woodcutter, other times a guide, but never had he worn a uniform or joined a society. Now he was old and heavy like a grandfather tree, with his legs and eyesight failing.

Still, he was content, even merry every Christmas Eve nailing a green bough over his door. Mostly he kept to himself, but had his tea and bread and honey handy for friends and wanderers who knocked at his door from time to time.

One dark and storm morning he was early aroused from sleep by a frantic pounding at his door. Rubbing his eyes he stumbled from bed to let in the two wretched soldiers who hurried in out of the rain.

“A bad night, or is it day,” grumbled Bear. “Come dry yourselves,” he said, more kindly, and he went to light the fire.

“We are here on an urgent mission,” said the tall soldier. “And you must listen.”

“We’d rather be in our beds, too,” said the small soldier, rubbing his hands before the fire.

The bear filled the kettle and then began to set the table. “Well, we can talk over food; one way’s as good as another.”

“What we have to say won’t wait,” complained the tall soldier, and he paced before the fire and muttered to himself until they sat together at the table.

“We need your service, Bear,” said he, “and there’s no time to waste.”

The small soldier nodded his head abruptly over his steaming tea.

“I never waste time,” said Bear. “But at my age I don’t hurry either.”

“We need you for a lookout,” said the tall soldier. “You know the forest and we haven’t a man to spare.”

“What do I look out for,” asked Bear, “and where do I look?”

“You look for the enemy from the top of the tallest tree. Then we will have the advantage.”

“The bread is good,” whispered the small soldier, and helped himself to another slice. The tall soldier glared at him.

“I have no enemy,” said Bear. “I used to but I am old and have no use for enemies now. Now, enemies are a waste of time.”

“We cannot accept your refusal,” said the tall soldier. “We have even a uniform for you,” and he undid his pack. “For pride and for protection.”

“Pride and protection I already have, here in my forest. I have never worn a uniform,” said Bear, quietly, “and do not intend to start now.”

“It is your duty,” said the small soldier, strongly. “I think,” he added, softly.

“Do you want the enemy to win?” shouted the tall soldier. “Are you a traitor?”

“I don’t understand any of this,” said Bear, shaking his head.

“When they burn the forest all your friends will die!” thundered the tall soldier.

“Why would they burn it?” asked Bear.

“Because we will be hiding in it, waiting for them,” said the tall soldier.

“Maybe they won’t burn it,” said the small soldier.

“They will!” shouted the tall soldier. “We must discover them beforehand because they are going to do it tomorrow. The general said so.”

“Oh,” said the small soldier, nodding, “he has his sources.”

“Who is the enemy?” said Bear.

“We don’t know yet,” said the tall soldier. “We only know they are coming from beyond the forest and we must be warned. That is why we need you.”

“What will you do then?” said Bear.

“Kill them!” said the tall soldier, roughly.

“Keep them from burning the forest,” said the small soldier, gently.

“Ah, well,” said Bear, “if it will save the forest … But I will not wear this uniform.” He glared into the eyes of the tall soldier.

“Very well,” mumbled the tall soldier, and turned away.

“My eyes are bad,” said Bear, “and my legs don’t work as they used to. I haven’t climbed a tree in years.”

“Take this glass to look through. We know you can make it this one last time,” insisted the tall soldier, who was pacing back and forth in excitement.

“Maybe he shouldn’t,” said the small soldier. “He doesn’t look so good.”

“There are all kinds of soldiers,” snapped the tall soldier.

“… I must return to my men now; this soldier will stay with you and deliver your message to me once you have seen the enemy.” He saluted sharply but the small soldier and the bear didn’t notice because they were looking out of the window and scratching their heads as he left.

“It’s getting light and the rain has ended,” said the small soldier.

“I don’t like any of this,” sighed Bear. “At my age I am done with wars and enemies and climbing trees. Ah, well,” he sighed again, “I suppose I shall have to try.”

They went outside and the bear pointed to a tall pine he thought would do. His legs were feeble; even the small soldier winced as Bear struggled partway up the trunk and fell down, breaking the glasspiece as he did.

“I may have hurt something,” said Bear. “Besides my pride,” he added, grimly.

“Your legs are no good and your eyes can’t do the job,” said the small soldier. “The whole idea is ridiculous.”

“Yes, isn’t it,” said Bear, in distress.

“Here, let me help you,” said the small soldier.

“Thank you. I’ll just rest here against the trunk. I can’t move yet.”

“I suppose I should climb the tree myself,” said the small soldier. “I’m afraid of heights but I’m more afraid of my captain.”

When he managed to get up at last he called down to Bear, “I can’t see anything.”

“No enemy?” called Bear.

“Not yet,” said the small soldier, “but I see an eagle’s nest and a pond that might have beavers.”

“I know the spot,” said Bear, “it does.”

“And something that looks like a cave,” said the small soldier.

“No enemy yet?” asked Bear.

“No enemy. But maybe I’m looking in the wrong direction.”

“No, you’ll see them if they’re there,” said Bear.

“I’m glad the rain stopped and the dawn is coming,” said the small soldier.

“Storms always end sometime,” said Bear. “Is there anything else?”

“Yes, there’s something bright beyond the forest, at the edge. It’s too bright! It’s the enemy burning the forest! We’re too late!” shouted the small soldier.

“Wait,” said Bear, calmly. “Be sure.”

“I can’t wait. I must warn the other soldiers.”

“You must wait,” said Bear, “and you must look carefully with your eyes because my own sight is so dim.”

“It’s a great wall of fire; it’s coming out of the ground and climbing into the sky!”

“Do you see smoke?” asked Bear.

“No, but I see more nests now than the eagle’s, and more water than the pond, and more rocks than the cave,” said the small soldier.

“Then you have seen enough,” said Bear. “Come down and help me into my cabin and we will eat breakfast together.”

“Is there an enemy?” said the small soldier, as he helped the bear through his door.

“Yes, ” said Bear, turning to him. “There is always an enemy where there is fear and ignorance.”

“I think I know,” said the small soldier, offering his hand.

“My name is John,” he said, blinking at the sudden sunlight streaming in at the window.

~ Joan Vayo, December 14, 1971

“Bear, Who Would Not Be a Soldier” © 1971 Joan Vayo. All rights reserved.

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