It
was "Old Teddy Bear" the hermit who told {name of
camping partner} the story of the mountain's treasure. Now
{name of camping partner} would pass the story along to {child's
first name or nickname/name called}. "It's over that
ridge," {name of camping partner} told {child's first
name or name called/nickname}. "We'll have to camp overnight."
"We
better check our supplies, {child's first name or nickname/name
called}. We wouldn't want to forget anything," said {name
of camping partner}. {his/her} friends were there to help
load the van. Everyone was very curious about the treasure.
There
was so much camping gear that {child's first name or name
called/nickname} and {his/her} friends had to get behind {name
of camping partner} and push to make it all fit. Finally,
the van was packed. Everyone squeezed in, and off they went.
The adventure had begun!
It
was a long day of traveling, and the children were tired.
The setting sun stirred the natural sounds of the forest.
After everyone made camp, one of {his/her} friends studied
the map with {child's first name or name called/nickname}. "Look, {child's first name or name called/nickname},
we'll go this way."
That
night, {child's first name or name called/nickname} could
hear an owl hooting in the distance. {he/she}found it very
difficult to sleep. Everyone was so excited about the treasure!
The snoring coming from {name of camping partner} didn't help
matters either.
Finally,
morning came, and everyone was up early and ready to go. "We
want to be sure not to leave any trash behind, so let's clean
up our campsite," ordered {name of camping partner}.
"Here
is some paper," said one {name of friend}, while ripping
it up and stuffing it into the trash bag. {child's first name
or name called/nickname} thought the paper looked a lot like
the map. No... it couldn't be.
"It's
a rough trail, and we'll have to go by horseback," said
{name of camping partner}. "{child's first name or name
called/nickname}, stay close to {names of friends}."
"Don't
worry, {name of camping partner}, You can count on me," said {child's first name or name called/nickname}. {name of
camping partner} was glad to have {child's first name or name
called/nickname} with them.
Up
the mountain, the trail became narrow and winding. {child's
first name or name called/nickname} was amazed with the beautiful
plant life surrounding them. Finally, everyone stopped for
lunch.
"Who
has the map? asked {name of camping partner}. "Not me,"
said {child's first name or name called/nickname}. "Not
me," said {name of friend}. "Not me," said
{name of friend}.
"It's
gone!" exclaimed {child's first name or name called/nickname}.
"How will we ever find the treasure?" "Hmmm..."
said {name of camping partner}. "Perhaps I can remember
the way."
{name
of camping partner} seemed confident about the way to the
treasure. This made {child's first name or name called/nickname}
feel better about the lost map. "Let's catch some fish
for lunch!" {name of camping partner} said. {child's
first name or name called/nickname} and her friends cast their
lines into the clear mountain stream. {child's first name
or name called/nickname} immediately hooked a big fish...
big enough for everyone to eat.
While
everyone helped prepare dinner, {name of camping partner}
spoke to {child's first name or name called/nickname} and
{his/her} friends. "When I was a young cub like you,
I met Old Teddy Bear the hermit, out here in these very woods.
I'll tell you his story tonight after dinner." The food
was served and everyone ate until they could eat no more.
That
night, {child's first name or name called/nickname} and {names
of friends} friends gathered around the campfire with {name
of camping partner}. Speaking very softly, {name of camping
partner} began to tell the story...
"The
old hermit told me of the mountain's great treasures many
years ago. He said only the wisest of bears would discover
the treasure's true value. Tomorrow, we will travel down the
mountain stream."
The
next morning brought dew and beautiful singing birds. {child's
first name or name called/nickname} smelled the fresh, clean
air as they paddled away in their canoe. {child's first name
or name called/nickname} reminded everyone to put on a life
jacket.
One
of {child's first name or name called/nickname}'s friends
leaned over to get a life jacket and fell head first into
the cold mountain stream. "Help!" {his/her} friend
cried. Everyone was alarmed. {child's first name or name called/nickname}
quickly grabbed a life jacket and threw it out to help {his/her}
friend swim ashore.
{child's
first name or name called/nickname} helped {name of friend}
out of the stream and on to the grassy bank. {name of camping
partner} put an arm around {child's first name or name called/nickname}. "That was quick thinking, {child's first name or name
called/nickname}," said {name of camping partner}. "I'm
very proud of you. Next time we'll all remember to put on
our life jackets before we get in the canoe."
Later
that day, {name of camping partner} told everyone to gather
around. "How much farther, {name of camping partner}?" asked {child's first name or name called/nickname}.
"We
are here," {name of camping partner} remarked, to everyone's
surprise.
"But
where's the treasure?" asked {child's first name or name
called/nickname}. "Don't you see?" said {name of
camping partner}. "It's all around us, and it's been
here all along. It's the natural sounds of the forest. It's
in the green trees, the fresh air and clean water. These things
are the real treasures of the mountain."
At first, {child's first name or name called/nickname} and
{his/her} friends were puzzled. Then, {child's first name
or name called/nickname} realized what {name of camping partner}
meant! {he/she} envisioned the old hermit telling {name of
camping partner} that only the wisest of the bears could find
the real treasure of the mountain... and he was right!
{child's
first name or name called/nickname} would always remember
this special camping adventure, and would tell all of {his/her}
friends in {Hometown} about {his/her} discovery of the real
treasures of the mountain.
From
that day forward, {child's first name or name called/nickname}
always remembered to respect the beauty and wonder that nature
has to offer...and so should everyone. |
