Stories
by Kathryn Jackson
Illustrated
by Richard Scarry
Copyright
1950
“Once upon a time there was a big, white, fluffy polar bear
who wanted very much to be one of Santa Claus’s helpers.”
So begins the story of a The Bare Polar Bear, who only wanted to do good for
others. Sadly, his offers were
continually rebuffed. It appears that
none of Santa’s elves could see a use for such a big, furry helper. Just when the polar bear was at the point of
giving up, Santa realized that he was overworked. How could he possibly get to all the stores
to say hello to the children or be at all the corners to ring bells? Besides,
he still had toys to finish.
Mrs. Claus came up with the brilliant idea to send out
helpers in Santa’s old suits. She found
plenty of red suits and lots of pillows to fill out the round, jolly tummies.
But what would they do for beards?
Fortunately, the big, white, fluffy polar bear heard the
cries for help. Finally – something he could contribute! Joyfully, the bear stood while Mrs. Claus
snipped of all of his fluffy white fur to craft into beards. That big selfless bear gave enough fur to
give each of Santa’s helpers a nice fluffy beard.
The bear was now happy, yet also very cold. Mrs. Claus
noticed his discomfort and found a very large piece of red flannel to make a
wonderful warm suit, just right for the helpful bear.
Like that polar bear, we may sometimes be frustrated by a
lack of ability to help in a bleak situation.
That doesn’t mean we should give up trying. You just never know when
your particular gift or talent will be needed.
And then, like the big, white, fluffy bear, you can joyfully give it
your all.
Merry Christmas!
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