Once upon a time, in a great big forest full of tall green trees, there lived a round, fluffy bear named Bruno.
Bruno had one favourite thing in the whole wide world.
Honey. 🍯
Every morning, Bruno would wake up, stretch his big fluffy arms, and say:
“Good morning, forest! Time for my honey!”
One morning, Bruno went to his favourite hollow tree.
He reached his paw inside.
Empty.
“Gone!” Bruno gasped. “My honey is GONE!”
🌿 A Little Friend Appears
Bruno sat down on a log and made his saddest face.
His bottom lip wobbled.
His big brown eyes went all watery.
Just then, a tiny voice said:
“Why are you sad, big bear?”
Bruno looked down.
There stood Chloe, with curious eyes and muddy boots, right in the middle of the forest path.
“My honey is gone,” Bruno sniffled. “I looked everywhere.”
Chloe thought for a moment.
Then Chloe smiled a very big smile.
“I’ll help you find it!”
🐝 Following the Bees
Chloe had noticed something Bruno had not.
Three fat, fuzzy bees — buzzz buzzz buzzz — flying in a line through the trees.
“Bruno!” said Chloe. “Follow the bees! Bees always go home to their honey!”
Bruno’s ears perked up.
“That is… very clever,” he said slowly.
Chloe grinned.
They followed the bees together.
Past the big oak tree. 🌳
Past the little stream that went splish splash splash. 💧
Past the family of rabbits who waved hello. 🐰🐰🐰
🍯 Found!
Deep in the forest, the bees flew up, up, up into a tall old tree.
And there — right at the top — was the most beautiful golden honeycomb Bruno had ever seen.
“My honey moved to a new home!” Bruno laughed. His whole belly shook when he laughed.
He carefully, gently took just a little honey.
Not too much. Just enough.
He turned to Chloe.
“Would you like some too?”
Chloe had never tasted forest honey before.
It was warm and sweet and tasted like sunshine.
“This,” said Chloe, “is the best thing I have ever eaten.”
Bruno nodded very seriously.
“I know,” he said.
🌙 Heading Home
The sun started to turn orange and pink behind the trees.
Time to go home.
Bruno walked Chloe to the edge of the forest.
“Thank you,” said Bruno. “I would never have found it without you.”
Chloe felt very warm inside. Warmer than the honey.
“You just had to follow the bees,” said Chloe quietly.
Bruno gave Chloe the gentlest, fluffiest bear hug.
It smelled like honey and pine trees and something very safe.
“Come back tomorrow,” said Bruno. “I may need help again.”
Chloe laughed all the way home.