11 Why Bears Have Short Tails

Why Bears Have Short Tails

Long ago, Bear was not like he is today. Back then, he had a long tail. Back then, he was always hungry. Then a long, hard winter came and Bear changed forever. That winter it got cold. Then it got colder. The river froze and Bear could not fish.

All the animals were hungry— well, almost all the animals. Fox was never hungry. He always had fish. He had big fish and little fish. He had long fish and short fish.

One day, Fox went out to fish. Bear was so hungry that he stole one of Fox's big fish. The big fish was good. It was so good that Bear went back the next day. This time he stole a little fish. Bear was about to eat the little fish when Fox came back!

Bear said, "Oh Fox, I am so sorry. Teach me to catch fish in the frozen river. Then I will never steal your fish again." Fox asked, "Teach you? Oh yes, Bear. I will teach you."

Bear and Fox went to the frozen river. Fox made a hole in the ice. He said, "Put your tail in the hole. Then you will feel the fish pulling at your tail." So Bear put his long tail in the hole. Fox asked, "Can you feel the fish pulling?" Bear said, "Yes, I can! They are pulling hard. I am catching some fish! Can I pull up my tail now?"