44 THE POLAR BEAR

CHAPTER 44 THE POLAR BEAR Roz backed away as the polar bear stalked toward her. "Do not waste your energy hunting me!" hollered the robot. "I am not made of meat!" The polar bear sniffed the air with his sensitive nose. He smelled the ocean. He smelled the lingering scent of walruses. He smelled his own musky odor. But he didn't smell anything he could eat. The bear slumped onto the beach and gazed at the sky. The sun was setting, and the stars were beginning to come out. "I'm hungry," growled the bear. "I'm always hungry. I can't remember the last time I tasted meat. I'm lucky to find eggs. Mostly I eat grass. That's no way for a bear to live! And then there's the poison tide. It hasn't spread here yet, but the fear of it has spread everywhere. The birds and the fish and the seals are leaving. The walruses will be next. Polar bears have always hunted here. But it might be time for me to move on." "The poison tide is destroying the island where I live," said the robot. "I have come here to speak with

the Ancient Shark. I was told she will know what to do. Have you heard of her?" The polar bear snorted. "We've all heard of the Ancient Shark. Everybody says she's the oldest, wisest, most powerful creature in the north. But if she's so powerful, why hasn't she stopped the poison tide already?" "That is a good question," said Roz. "When I find her, I will ask her." The polar bear pointed high up to a bright star. "They say the Ancient Shark lives at the bottom of the ocean, beneath that star. The other stars slowly move through the night sky, but that one stays still. It's called the guiding star because you can use it to find your way. Go toward the guiding star until it's right above you. Then you'll be in the home waters of the Ancient Shark." "Thank you for your help," said Roz. "I will do everything in my power to stop the poison tide. With luck, the birds and the fish and the seals will soon return." The polar bear licked his lips and dreamed of eating meat, as the robot marched into the waves.