“Boo wasn’t like the other bears. He trusted me from the start, perhaps because we were the same in a way. You see, we were both alone in the world. So we grew up together, though I must say he grew a lot faster than me! Oh I remember those warm sunny days when we played in the fields of tall grass. Boo grew so big and strong! You should have seen how he scared off that pack of wolves one time! Nothing in all the forest could touch me with Boo at my side. We were a great pair actually. Boo would catch fish from the streams, I would light a warm fire. Though I suppose I needed him much more than he needed me.One cool and misty morning, I was riding atop Boo as we came upon a quiet stream. I hopped down to for a quick drink. All was silent and calm, when a fluster of quail sprang from the meadow a few paces upstream. Suddenly a hunter leaped out with his bow drawn. That ignorant fool! He let free an arrow at Boo, just one grave arrow before he turned his scrawny tail and ran. He fled in fear of being chased. He must have seen the beastly rage in my eyes! Boo however, was stunned, limping in circles over the mounds of mud and grass. After long minutes in agony, his weight collapsed to the ground.Now here I wait with Boo. I can hear his pain within each shortened breath. With each exhale his mighty strength is drained. There is no rage now, just the ache of my gaping heart. I can do nothing as my friend’s life slowly fades before me. How will I brave these wilds alone?”The story is continued with my next illustration here: [link]