Eritopia

Berries and Bugs

Not-Bear paused to take the words in. 'But I haven't got a name. Does that mean I don't exist?'

'Of course not. And I've told you before, you're not old enough.'

'So I still exist, even if I don't know what I am.'

'You're an Insider, and you are Not-Bear. That's enough, for now.'

'Then why bother to give me another one?'

'It's obvious, isn't it?' Bear spluttered.

'Not to me.'

'It's all part of growing up. You're given your name, other things have names, you learn their names, so you learn about things.'

'That doesn't explain why I haven't got a proper name, when even a stupid squirrel has one.'

'You will get a proper name,' Bear said. 'I promise.'

'When?'

'Soon,' Bear said.

'When?'

'Soon, perhaps very soon.'

To his surprise, Not-Bear sprang up and began running round the clearing. He criss-crossed the ground, stirring up leaves and scattering pine cones as he went.

'Do you mean at the Occasion?' he panted as he rushed past.

'No, I mean, I don't know,' Bear yelled after him. 'I shouldn't say, the Elders told me to—,' he began, but Not-Bear didn't hear him. He was too busy running and rolling in the dirt, thinking of the great moment when he would get a real name.

'Thank you,' he barked as he went around Bear a second time.

'Oh dear,' said Bear, as he swallowed down the last of his fungus. 'Oh dear,' and he shook his head.

He got up and pushed the remains of their lunch under a pile of leaves. Not-Bear was waiting for him on the edge of the glade, panting after his exertions. They plunged back into the trees. But soon the path they were on widened, the trees grew further apart, and the sky opened above them.

The sun came out and the temperature edged up. One by one or in small groups, other animals stepped out of the trees and adjoining paths. They started to walk with them.

Not-Bear looked up at Bear, but he just lifted his chin as if to say, "Carry on and be quiet". Not-Bear wasn't able to run around as much, so he stayed with Bear, and observed the newcomers as they hopped, walked, or ran alongside.

A clatter in the trees to the left of them drew attention. A group of monkeys had bumped into each other and fallen through the branches. They scattered some rooks, who rose protesting into the sky. The noise echoed on for a while.

'What's going to happen at the Occasion?' Not Bear asked as more creatures joined them on the path.

'You'll see,' said Bear, moving out of the way of a goat who barged out from some bushes.

'Sorry,' it bleated.

'Yes, but what will I see?' Not-Bear persisted.

'It's an Occasion,' said Bear. 'You know well enough. A celebration of the passing year.'

'But what's going to happen there?'

'You'll see,' Bear said again.

'How long is it going to last?'

'As long as it takes. Stop asking questions, you'll find out soon enough.'

'How long have we been celebrating the Occasions then?