The boy looks at the fire.
It only grows larger, it seems, in the dead of night.
There's snow on the ground, but with the fire,
It won't last long.
He runs into the forest behind his house.
Places his black teddy bear in the tree house
They used to spend all summer in.
He ties a note around the teddy bear's neck
With a shoelace.
"I know it's scary, but you have to become, okay?"
A high pitched shriek is heard from below.
He shivers.
"Don't worry. I promise I'll be okay." He crosses his fingers behind his back.
Papa said lying is never good, even if it's for a good reason.
He has to hope Papa is wrong.
He takes in a deep breath,
And climbs down the ladder of the tree house.
There's all kinds of growling and screaming from below.
Later on, near day break,
A large black bear tumbles out of the woods.
He whines and groans
And paws at the ash.
A note is tied around his neck
By an over stretched shoelace.