Bart the Bear



Legend Of The Great Bear

Long ago, the Great Bear wandered freely throughout the
sky. His massive paws took him far across the boundless
ceiling of the world. He hunted and fished, feeding there in
the rivers of the sky. All throughout the first spring he did
this, until his belly was full and he was happy.

Little did he know that three braves had discovered him
feeding that spring and they sought his meat and pelt to
feed their families in the long winter that they knew was coming.

Without warning, the braves ran out after the bear. The
Great Bear took off running, trying to escape from the hunters.
All through the long summer he ran, trying to get away. The
braves, however, were very cunning and strong. It was in the
first autumn when their arrows pierced the Great Bear and he died.

The blood of the bear spilled out of the sky and tinged all of the
leaves with red and orange. The trees then dropped all of their
leaves in mourning for their friend.

The Great Bear was reborn the following spring as is the way of
bears, and the braves set out after him again. They do this each
year. If you look into the sky and watch, you can see the three
braves trailing behind the Great Bear as he runs from them
towards the horizon, only to do it again with the coming of spring.

This was an American Indian legend explaining the constellation,
Ursa Major.












Background by Wildlife of the World