20 Comments

Loved this. I grew up around a rather populated black bear region. It was common to find them lurking around at all hours.

I think your interpretation here is far more truthful than any factual description.

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Ha! I’d love that to be true. Come to think of it, maybe it is but I haven’t been paying attention. {warms tea kettle}

Thanks for reading, James!

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What a delightful tale. There is truth in the idea of having a deep understanding and appreciation for one's surroundings, including friends and neighbors. I'm like that old bear, content with where I am.

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Thanks KC! Contented is fine but not complacent, right? ;-)

Glad you enjoyed the story!

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This was some magical stuff right here. Loved it.

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Thanks. I think the magic is in the possibilities, those insights from chance conversations with bears…or squirrels, or crickets…

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What a creative idea- a man and a bear drinking tea together, philosophizing in the moonlight. That concept alone would have delighted me even had there been no further story. Superb, J.

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Thanks Sharron. Can't beat writing a dream ;-)

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Sep 15Liked by J. Curtis

I think it's your best. It starts with a natural reaction of trepidation and then moves into an adventure (where is this going?) And then there is discovery and finally insight. It doesn't lead to a "series". It's a self-contained story but opens a new world. Very good!

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Thanks, dad. Sometimes those odd dreams need to be written down.

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This story was fantastic and magical, a perfect Sunday morning read. I've always been drawn to nature and have spent my fair share of time in the woods, staring up at the stars and the moon. Your words about its magic brought me back to those moments of my life. Thank you for that.

As I started reading, I quickly understood this was somewhat autobiographical and I must say, I enjoyed the notes at the end of the story equally as much as the story itself. Bonus - you taught me about rooibos, which I have never heard of but am now eager to sample.

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Hah! My family’s tea habits are a force of nature unto themselves — rooibos, doubly so.

Thanks for coming along on the journey, magic and all. Glad it brought back some special memories.

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First of all ur graphic w the paw print and tea cup drew me in. What was going on here. I started reading your story as I read most stories, without much hope of finding a good story. Most divert off into sex or violence or a power grab. A thinly veiled attempt of Righting the wrongs done to the author in their stories and worse, not done very well.

But this was not that.

There was mystery without the bear turning into a demon out to trap the man.

There was intrigue. There was a logical progression and a bit of a cliff at the end. All things were not explained but enough were to give a satisfying ending.

It was like a ray Bradbury story w/o the macabre ending. Very satisfying. Complex and satisfying

Well done sir. Well done.

Ur friend ,

Frankie Chocolate

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Thank you, Frankie! While I like macabre (and Bradbury very much — see my story The Window) this story was destined to be something else. I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for reading!

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I love this! Bears are special to me, and Walter is so wise. “All the world’s magic is now available” is a statement of deep meaning. I garden by the moon and other things, too. And when he said that the land upon which he lives remembers him, my heart squeezed. What a beautiful story!

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Thanks Liz! Yes…that moonlight magic is powerful, isn’t it? Thanks for reading!

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This is wonderful. Thank you!

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Thank you, Lyndsey!

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…really fun…

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Thank you!

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