Ballad of the Bear

Oh he is a charmer
Yes he is convincing
He takes a brave chance
No words is he mincing

Stepping forward you say
To the stunned crowd above,
“This Bear is my friend
And gentle as a dove!

For years we have fought
To rid ourselves of a curse
Not seeing how we only
Made our own lives worse

With unthinking loathing
We invented our lore
To protect us from fear
From the gaping void’s roar

I speak as one of you
Who has spread intolerance
And now I must beg you
To give this bear a chance!”

The people all cheer
Tossing out rose petals
While your fallen comrades
Pull out all their nettles!

And together you return
To your village in glory
You, Bear and the rest
Who inhabit this story

And so he survived
He thrived many years
As your neighbor and friend
Through joy and in tears

And the horror was turned
Into blossoming pride
Years of war and pain
All happ’ly cast aside