Give Them a Hug

The counselor told the Bears that they would be playing a game; then he pushed a button to begin the video.

“Until now you have only seen children from afar,” he said, “but soon you will be best friends. Watch the children jump out of the machine and come to you. What do you do?”

“Give them a hug,” number sixty said without hesitation.

“Very good.”

Number sixty beamed with pride. “That’s what Bears do. We hug.”

“What else do Bears do?” The counselor looked from the group of wide-eyed Bears to the group of wide-eyed children. “Come on, you know what else you’re supposed to do.”

Number fifty-nine, who was usually very shy, raised his hand.

“Yes?”

“We tell stories.”

“Show me.”

Number fifty-nine hugged one of the children, made it comfortable on a blanket, then he snuggled up to it and whispered, “Once upon a time…….”