Tale #51 -- A Spring Ride

"What's wrong now?" Carol asked Ben.

"Nothing," Ben said.

"Stop trying to fool me," Carol said. "I know there's something wrong. It's the day before Easter. That's supposed to be a happy time, but you're moping again."
"How come the calendar says that spring has come," Ben asked, "but there is still snow on the ground?"

"That's the North for you," Carol said. "We've had white Easters before."

"Yeah," Ben said, "but--"

Just then there was a roar outside. It was Ben's Uncle Joseph on his snowmobile. "Would you like to go for a ride on the river?" he asked the children.

"Are you sure the ice is thick enough?" Carol asked.

"Oh, yes," Uncle Joe said. "I was there yesterday, and there's no sign of any breakthrough."

Ben got his snowmobile suit and put it on. Then he pulled on his snowmobile boots. Uncle Joe helped him with his helmet and his gloves.

"Aren't you coming?" Uncle Joe asked Carol.

"No thanks," Carol said. "A couple of my friends are coming over in twenty minutes."

"Where would you like to go?" Uncle Joe asked Ben.

"Do you know of any caves around here?" Ben asked.

"Yes," Uncle Joe said. "About five kilometres down the river, there's a trail that leads right to them."

"Hmmm," Ben said, "let's try going there."

What a great day for a ride! The sun was shining brightly, but the snow wasn't melting yet. Ben forgot all about moping.

Soon, they arrived at the caves.

"Let's drive around here a little bit," Ben said casually.

"Look!" Uncle Joe pointed. "I see something red."

Ben's heart started to beat faster. Could it be--?

Uncle Joe steered towards the red object. They found Dancing Bear sitting in a deck chair at the mouth of her cave, enjoying the sunshine. Her feet were propped up on a stump. She was wearing her red scarf and a huge pair of purple sunglasses with sparkly sequins.

"Dancing Bear!" Ben yelled. He jumped off the snowmobile seat and ran through the snow towards her. "Dancing Bear! Happy Easter!"

"Hello, Ben!" Dancing Bear said. Ben jumped into her lap and hugged her. "You're so thin!" he said.

"Don't worry," Dancing Bear said. "I'll soon fix that."

"When are you coming into town?" Ben asked.

"Not for a while," Dancing Bear said. "I'm just starting to wake up."

"Do you need something to eat?" Ben asked.

"Well--" Dancing Bear said.

"What would you like?" Ben asked.

"I have an appetite for strawberries," Dancing Bear said.
Ben looked at his Uncle Joe. Uncle Joe smiled. "You're in luck! Strawberries are on special this week."

Uncle Joe took Ben to the supermarket to buy strawberries, and then took him back out to Dancing Bear's cave.

"Thanks a lot," Ben said to his uncle. "You're the best. Is there anything I can do to thank you?"

"I'm cleaning out my garage next week-end," Uncle Joe said. "I could use some help."

"I'll be there," Ben said. "What time would you like me to come?"

"Around nine-thirty on Saturday would be great," Uncle Joe said.