How The Bear Lost His Tail

Submitted By John Kahionhes Fadden

This story has been around just about as long as bears have been around.

Way, way back, during the beginning of an ancient winter, the Bear came across the Fox. The Fox was on the frozen surface of a lake, and around him were fish that had been freshly caught. Being fond of eating fish, the Bear asked the Fox how it was that he came into possession of such a nice number of succulent fish...he especially liked trout, and there were some there.

The Fox told the Bear that there was a trick to catching fish in the winter. You had to a find a spot, and put a hole in the ice. Then, you dip your tail into the hole. Eventually, a fish will bit onto the tail, and with a quick movement the fish could be pulled out.

The Bear, at this ancient time, had a long, glossy, and very gorgeous black tail. He was twitching it around excitedly with the thought that he could catch some nice fish with it. He asked the Fox if he could use the hole in the ice that was already dug. The Fox told him that it was pretty well fished out in that area, and he would show him another spot where the Bear might try his luck.

They moved to a spot closer to the shore where the water was shallower. Fox knew that there wouldn't be much fish, if any, in that area. Usually fish go deeper during the winter.

The Bear dipped his big black tail into the freshly dug hole in the ice, and then sat down. He wondered how long it would take to land a fish. The Fox told him that he had to be patient...just relax, and sooner or later a fish would bite.

Time passed, and the Bear became drowsy. He thought of the nice fish that he would soon have, plus he became drowsier when he thought of the nice long winter sleep he would soon have as well.

The Bear awakened, and he was surprised to see that he had a coating of snow on his body. He had fallen asleep, and had slept through the night. Plus, there was no fish, and his tail was frozen into the lake water. He looked around, and there was the Fox laughing in that yippy manner of foxes. That's probably what woke the Bear up.

The Bear instantly became very angry. He had been tricked. He leaped to his paws as he lunged toward the Fox. His powerful legs and body, plus the fact that his tail was frozen securely in the ice resulted in the tail being snapped off.

Thus, to this day, the Bear has a short...very short, tail.