I wrote this during the summer and just found it. Enjoy!
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When Joe saw the paw, he was very terrified. So he dashed behind the nearest tree and poked his head around to see if the bear was dead or if he had missed it. Suddenly he saw the paw wiggle! Soon a very grieving cry from the bush rushed to his ears. A little furry head with frightened eyes popped up and soon a tiny body wiggled out of the bush. It looked so harmless, thought Joe. Joe looked around to see if its mother was near by. He saw nothing. The petite bundle limped out further into the clearing and cried out once more. Still no mother had appeared. After a couple of minutes, which seemed like hours, Joe took pity and crept out of his hiding place. The miniature bear did not see him, for he was lying down as if he were sleeping. Joe slithered toward the blackberry bush and picked a huge handful of blackberries and stalked up to the wee little bear.
Joe had seen many bears before. He had also seen a few young cubs. But, this bear was the smallest he had ever seen. When he got closer to the bear and it did not wake or move, so he thought it might be dead. Worried, he scurried to its side. Slowly he lifted its head; he quickly dumped the berries into its mouth and waited. The tiny bear silently opened its eyes and quietly chewed. Joe examined the teeny body. The shot had penetrated his left hind leg. Because Joe was not a veterinarian he was not sure if he would survive. Joe gave the cub his water from his canteen. The cub rapidly sucked all the water out of the container. Slowly Joe got up and pulled a trap from his pack. He unwind the rope from the trap and loosely tied it around of the small creature’s neck. Joe tugged lightly on the makeshift collar. Sluggishly the bear got up and started lugging itself toward his new guardian. Progressively they got to Joe’s little cabin. Once returning home Joe scooped up the little bear into his arms and walked through the door. Once inside he gently bandaged its tiny leg. Joe found out his new little friend was a male cub, so with that he called him Teeny-Wee, after his teeny size.
Years passed and Teeny-Wee and Joe became inseparable friends. Teeny-Wee did get better. But he did not get much bigger than on the day he was found Joe and Teeny-Wee spent sad and happy times together. Joe will never forget that day in the woods.
