As spring came around, I pawed on the dirt of your den. I jumped up and down and tried to yell through the earth that the days were warm. We could go berry picking or run down by the crystal clear stream moving a mile a minute. There would be fish to catch and bees to outrun. There was no answer and no movement below. Sadly, I hung my head and told myself that you were groggy and would eventually come out. I ran in the meadow and played with my other friends but the sun grew hotter and still no you. I even met new friends who showed me where the apples and blueberries grew. They showed me new places to play and I spent many happy summer days in the deep grass with them. Some days I thought about you but lately you barely crossed my mind. Days were so happily spent with new friends that I never had a free moment. As the days grew shorter, I began to look for a den of my own to spend it for the coldest months. One day I crawled in and snuggled down when I heard your paws on the ground above me. I thought I heard your voice call out to say, ”I am ready now, let’s go and play.” Sleepiness came over me and I murmured, “Hey, you are too late,” and rolled over.
