Berry the Bear's Bumblebee Friend
Berry the Bear's Bumblebee Friend — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
"Ready for the big race, Berry?" buzzed Barnaby, his tiny wings a blur. Berry the bear stretched, a wide grin on his face. "Born ready, Barnaby!" he boomed, his voice echoing across the painted desert. The annual Painted Desert Dash was about to begin, and Berry, with Barnaby as his guide, was determined to win, even if no bear had ever won before.
Page 2
Suddenly, Penelope the Pronghorn bounded over, her sleek coat shimmering. "Heard you were running, Berry," she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "Did you know the course has a new obstacle this year?" Barnaby zipped closer to Berry's ear. "Old Man Tortoise mentioned something about shimmering sand that confuses direction," he whispered, recalling the tortoise saying, "Always trust your instincts, young one. It's the compass within."
Page 3
"Shimmering sand, huh?" Berry scratched his chin. "Sounds tricky." Penelope chuckled. "Indeed! But some say if you focus on the colors and remember their shifting patterns, you can navigate it." Barnaby zipped around excitedly. "Well, let's win this thing as Thomas Jefferson once said, 'I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it', we gotta go train!"
Page 4
Berry began his training, Barnaby guiding him through the dunes. "Faster, Berry, faster!" Barnaby urged, darting ahead. As Berry sped up, he tripped over a gnarled root, tumbling head over heels. He landed with a thump, dust clouding around him. "Oof! Maybe a little too fast," Berry groaned.
Page 5
As Berry sat up, he noticed something glinting in the sand. It was a small, smooth stone, swirled with the same colors as the desert itself. "What's this, Barnaby?" he asked, picking it up. "Looks like a Desert Eye Stone," Barnaby replied. "Legend says they can help you see the true path, but only if you truly understand the colors." Learning to read colors can be very rewarding, each color invokes a different emotion.
Page 6
The day of the race arrived, and the starting line buzzed with excitement. Berry felt a surge of confidence as he stood next to Penelope. But as they rounded the first dune, disaster struck! A sudden sandstorm whipped across the desert, blinding everyone with swirling sand. "I can't see a thing!" Berry cried, panicking.
Page 7
"Remember the Desert Eye Stone, Berry!" Barnaby shouted above the wind. "And what Penelope told you! Focus on the colors!" Berry closed his eyes, remembering the stone's swirling patterns. He imagined the red for strength, the blue for calm, the purple for wisdom. He reached into his pouch, his hand brushing against the smooth surface of the stone, and his determination grew.
Page 8
Berry focused, envisioning the colors guiding his steps. Slowly, the swirling sand seemed to shift and reveal a faint path forward. He took a deep breath and ran, his paws sure on the sand. "I see it! I see the path!" Berry exclaimed. Barnaby cheered, "That's it Berry! 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'!"
Page 9
Berry burst through the sandstorm and saw the finish line ahead! Penelope was right beside him. They raced neck and neck, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. With a final burst of speed, Berry surged ahead and crossed the finish line, winning the Painted Desert Dash. Penelope smiled and gave him a sportmanly pat on the back.
Page 10
"We did it, Barnaby!" Berry exclaimed, panting. "We actually did it!" Barnaby zipped around his head, overjoyed. Penelope walked over, congratulating Berry. "You really understood the colors, Berry," she said. "And you learned that teamwork and focus can overcome any obstacle" Berry grinned, "Maybe being a bear in a painted desert isn't so bad after all."
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)