"Grandpop and the Bear"

                                     

                                                        “Grand Pop and the Bear”




Visits to Grand mom’s and Grand pop’s were always exciting. There was no telling what would happen when we visited. I liked the good food and the treats Grand mom would have for us. She said that we were special. And they would take us places and do things that made us happy. But we loved just being with them. Mom and Dad said that Grand mom and Grand pop were the best and we really loved when Grand pop took us fishing. He taught us how to fish and always had a good story to tell. But this time we were the story!

  It was early and the sun wasn't up yet. Just like the times before, we had Grand pop’s big flashlight and one of us would hold it while the other would help Grand pop grab the worms. Great big worms! They were lying on the ground and we would sneak up on them. Then grab them before they ran back in the hole. That's what Grand pop said anyway. We didn't see any legs but they sure were fast!

The sun was coming up soon because we could see the outline of the trees and the sky was getting lighter. We were starting to get excited now.

"Hurry Grand pop we have lots of worms". He would always reply, He would always reply, "The fish aren't going anywhere are they?" And we both would say at the same time.

"Grand pop!"

Grand mom kept telling us to eat our breakfast as we squirmed in our chairs in a hurry to go. Grand mom had a big, big wooden spoon ready at all times. But we knew she wouldn't use it. Maybe!

Our grand pop had a great big car that you could almost live in! We couldn't even touch the back of the front seat or the floor. Even with all the food and drinks there. All we could say was.

"Hurry Grand pop" and he would say.

"The fish aren't going anywhere are they?"

But we knew that when we got there Grand pop would tell us to be very quiet because the fish would hear us and get scared. And if he didn't bring some fish home to Grand mom, he would get skinned!!!

  It was a great big lake, and there was never anyone else fishing but us. Grand pop said it was a secret spot that no one else knew about. And grand pop knew everything!

The little dirt road went all the way right to the lake. And all we had to do was walk straight down the hill past the bushes and trees and to the spot on the bank and start fishing.

  The sun was up and we carried the fishing poles and bait. But Grand pop said,
“Leave the food and sodas in the car".

We didn't care because we wanted to fish! And in no time at all we were all lined up in a row with our poles. Grand pop said we looked like peas in a pod. In no time at all we were catching fish. We caught big fat sunfish, perch, and catfish. That's what Grand pop said that they were. We would reel them in after grand pop helped us a little.

Later on it was getting quiet, especially because that is what Grand pop told us to do while because the fish had stopped biting. And then we heard a noise!

"Grand pop what was that!"

"Be quiet it's nothing". Grand pop kept on fishing.

  After a little longer we heard it again. This time it was closer too. And the bushes made a noise up on the hill.

"Crackle, crackle, crunch, crunch".

"Grand pop!! "We whispered.” What was that?"

"But Grand pop never even looked our way. He just said "shhhhhhhhh" "It’s probably a rabbit".

We looked at each other and I "m not sure who's eyes were the biggest. But just when we were convinced that Grand pop was right we heard it again!

"Crackle, crunch; crackle, crunch, crunch!!!!!“Grandpop!"

This time Grand pop turned around a bit to see what it was and again told us;

"Sshhhhhhhhh". But then he said, "Be very quiet!"

Before he could finish saying that; the noise got even louder and closer.

There were branches breaking and bushes busting and we were scared.

"Grand pop!" "What is it"?

We grabbed as close to Grand pop as we could.

"It sounds like it’s up by the car, Grand pop!"

This time Grand pop scooped us closer and with each in one big Grand pop arm, he whispered-----.

"Don’t be scared and don't make a sound"

" What is it Grand pop," we whispered?

But before we could ask again or Grand pop could answer we saw it.

A great big bear!!!!!! It was black and seemed like a giant.

Grand pop grabbed us tighter and with a smile said--"Now really!! Make no sound
at all and let’s see what he does".

Grand pop was big and brave and we felt safe now because he probably could beat up that old bear.

"Grand pop" we whispered "he’s looking in the car." We smiled too now. But then we remembered!

"Grand pop he smells our lunch!"

And sure enough his big old head was sticking right through the back window of Grand pop’s car. And now instead of being scared we had to hold back from laughing
loud .That big bear looked so silly trying to climb in the window and eat at the same time!

Grand pop’s smile soon went off his face. And for a minute we thought Grand pop was going to go right up to that bear and give him a piece of his mind. But instead Grand pop said to us that we should move away further along the bank on the lake.

By now the big crazy bear was trying to fit into the front seat to see what Grand pop had up there too!

"Look Grand pop" "He looks like he's steering the car" we laughed.

But we didn't notice that Grand pop didn't think that was a joking matter.

And just about the time we laughed it HAPPENED!!!!!!

Grand pop yelled “LOOK OUT" "GET OUT OF THE WAY"


And dragged us away from the path just as that dumb bear started down the hill.

The bear was howling, and we were hollering and his big paws were trying to get out of everywhere all at once. He looked like he was steering the car!

And that’s what happened next. The car came out of gear and down the hill it came toward us.

"GRAND POP, the bear is driving our car."

Grand pop grabbed us just as that bear drove past. Waving his paws and yelping for help. RIGHT INTO THE LAKE WITH A BIG SPLASH!

We all laughed at the sight of the silly bear all dripping wet and moaning as he crawled out the window and swam ashore. His little ears were laid down flat and he looked down at the ground when Grandpa yelled at him. "Go away you big silly bear" "Bad bear" we scolded.

Fortunately the car still started and Grand pop backed it up onto the path again. Grand pop started laughing too. He looked at us and said.

"No one will believe this story" We laughed all the way home and grand pop made jokes about the bear.

"Boy what a mess we had to clean up when we got back.

And every time we would come back over to their house: we would ask
“Grand pop! Tell the story about the Bear."



  S A Gibbins    WC 1282