We have heard of seeing pink elephants after a bump on the head, seeing sheep when you are trying to sleep, and stars, lots of stars floating around. No one has ever heard of seeing kittens, but that is getting ahead of my story.

 Henry Bear was very hungry, which wasn't new. Henry was always hungry; and looking for, finding and preparing food was Henry Bear's day. He had even taken Le Cordon Bleu chef course, to prepare food for the best presentation. Henry was addicted to food and had put on a few pounds to show for it.

 It was the misfortune of Julie Kitten to be wandering in the woods that day. She heard something through the heavy bush and cowered with fright.

 When Henry Bear came through the heavy bush, he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Julie Kitten. His mouth watered and visions of "kitten a l'orange," danced through his head. He made a quick dash for Julie Kitten, only to overstep and roll down an embankment.

 "Oooooohhhh!!!" moaned Henry Bear, rolling down the slope.

 Henry Bear landed with a splash and a thump as his head hit a rock protruding from the water. Not only was he dizzy from all that twisting and turning, he had a big bump forming on the top of his head.

 "Kittens, many, many kittens," said Henry Bear swaying. Around and around his head were visions of yellow, orange, black and calico kittens. Some kittens were licking their paws, there were kittens stretching and kittens hissing. Kittens, kittens and more kittens.

 "Are you okay?" asked Julie Kitten, who should have run away, but was concerned about every living creature.

 "Which one are you?" asked Henry Bear, trying with his paw to swat all the kittens in his vision, but failing.

 "Can you get up out of that water?" asked Julie Kitten, coming closer to the edge.

 "What water?" asked Henry Bear, even though he was sitting in it.

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 "I think you might have a concussion," said Julie Kitten. "You should see a doctor."

 Getting Henry Bear to the nearest hospital would take more words than we have space for. Finally she did manage to get the bear to the emergency room and went in with him as he was examined by the doctor.

 Dr. Alexander Snake checked the bear's head and found a big lump. "You have a concussion and will have to stay with us for a few days."

 The doctor arranged for Henry Bear to be checked into a room, which didn't help Henry Bear's situation, because around the ceiling was a kitten wallpaper border. Now kittens danced in circles in front of him and around the ceiling.

 "Kittens and more kittens," moaned the bear.

 "Get a nurse to administer a sedative," said the doctor to the nurses' station.

 "Here is your medication," said Miranda Kitten, the nurse.

 MORE KITTENS!

 Henry Bear screamed and ran from the hospital. He had had enough of kittens, and the thought of ever eating one, made him sicker.

 Julie Kitten went home and wrote a book about her adventure, which became a special on TV. Miranda Kitten got a movie offer after appearing on the special and Dr. Alexander Snake appears in soap operas.

 I suppose you are wondering about Henry Bear? Well, he is still eating, somewhere in the woods.

 Winner:  Brayden Acker-Hamm of New Germany received a prize in the mail.

 Question about the story: What was around the ceiling of Henry Bear's hospital room?

 Send answers to Storytime c/o Verna Dunlop, RR#1 Moser River, NS BOJ 2KO or e-mail the answer to the question to vernadunlop@yahoo.com. Prizes will be sent to those sending in the answers.

posted on 10/13/09