Rollo’s Secret Trail Light — Every evening, Rollo raced the river trail with his lantern, touching each trail marker before the moon climbed over the black pines. Read the full story →
Every evening, Rollo raced the river trail with his lantern, touching each trail marker before the moon climbed over the black pines. He had set himself a rule: no stopping, no chatting, no nibbling the smoky stew at camp until the last marker glowed. The flame inside his lantern made a soft tik-tik in the glass, and his paws thumped fast on the sandy bank.
Until one day, a hard wind slapped the water sideways and sent three canoe campers bumping into the reeds. Because of that, Rollo missed the fork where the markers began. Because of that, he heard one small voice call, “Our matches are wet!” He looked at the dark trail, then at his bright lantern.
Finally, Rollo hung the lantern on the canoe’s bow and pushed it gently toward the stranded campers. Nobody saw who had done it; the firelight kept his secret while he warmed his paws by the camp kettle. If you spot him waving under the stars, you’ll know which bear let the river have his best light.
