Children's Corner: Benjamin Bear

By Caleb Lucas

Once upon a time there was a bear named Benjamin. He lived near a campsite. Benjamin was a good boy. Well, most of the time. If you’ve ever been to a campsite you might have roasted marshmallows or cooked hot-dogs by the fire. Well, Benjamin liked to do and eat that stuff too. Sadly he was a bear. Bears don’t eat that, and campers wouldn’t give him that stuff, thanks to that “Please Don’t Feed the Bears” sign. So he stole the food. He didn’t feel proud of it, but it was so good that he thought it was worth it. It wasn’t. It’s never worth it to steal. He just wished he could share it with his family. He had seven brothers and six sisters! He especially wished he could share it with his youngest brother, Billy.

He knew that he once had marshmallows because some campers didn’t obey the “Please Don’t Feed the Bears” sign and gave him some marshmallows. Billy loved it, but even the two and a half year old bear knew it wasn’t right to steal. They only put out the “Please Don’t Feed the Bears” sign because they thought the bears were mean. They weren’t mean, but the campers didn’t know that. They thought they were mean vicious bears, but they weren’t.

Benjamin wished they would feed him, that way he wouldn’t have to steal the food and feel so ashamed. He really wanted to share the food with his family, but he couldn’t get caught. He wouldn’t be able to go fishing with the rest of his brothers and sisters. He loves fishing almost as much as he loves those hot-dogs that he was munching on at that very moment.

   2 days later

Benjamin went fishing every day with his family. Fishing just wasn’t that fun with feeling all that guilt. He felt so bad that he went home. Only his mother, and his sixteen month old sister, Betty, stayed home during fishing trips. His mother knew something was up by the look on her son’s face, and the fact that he was home early. You know, moms can always tell when something’s wrong. “What’s wrong?” she asked her son. “Oh, nothing,” he replied. “Then why are you home early?” she asked. “Ok, ok. I’ve been stealing food from the campers at the campsite,” said Benjamin sadly. “Oh, why?” asked his mother, very surprised. “I know it’s not right. I’ve prayed about it, I’ve asked God to help me, it’s just the taste of those hot-dogs and marshmallows that tempts me to do it! I’ve been taking the food for about a year now. My guilt was really getting to me, and I just couldn’t take it anymore!” said Benjamin with a sob.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” asked his mother. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to go fishing with everybody else, but now even fishing doesn’t seem fun because I feel so guilty,” cried Benjamin. “Oh, it’s ok, honey. We’ll find a way to get food like that without having to steal it,” said Benjamin’s mother. “But how?” asked Benjamin sitting sadly and ashamed. “I don’t know, but we’ll find a way,” said Benjamin’s mother.

1 year later

“I’m so glad I can get those delicious, warm hot-dogs, and those delicious marshmallows without stealing anymore,” said Benjamin happily. “See, honey, I told you we’d find a way to get the food you wanted without stealing,” said Benjamin’s mother, Harriet. “You were right. I owe you an apology,” said Benjamin. Now you might be wondering how they got the food without stealing. Well, I’ll tell you.

After Benjamin confessed to his mother, his mother told everyone else. They were ashamed of him, but they knew that everyone makes mistakes. He just made a pretty big one. They all realized that this probably wasn’t going to be his last mistake either. Then his father came up with a plan. He said, “Well, why did they put that ‘Please Don’t Feed the Bears’ sign up in the first place? Huh? Because they thought that we were mean, vicious, ferocious bears, even though we’re not, of course. We just need to show them that we’re nice, kind bears.”

So that’s what they did. They showed the campers that they were nice by performing tricks for the campers. The campers liked that very much. Eventually they took down that “Please Don’t Feed the Bears” sign. Then they were all happy. Especially Benjamin’s little brother, Billy.

“Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them.” (Prov. 28:4 NKJV)

God loves you, and never wants you to steal. If you ever feel like stealing, or somebody or something is tempting you to do it, let me just tell you right now that you should not do it. No matter how much you want to, or if it seems like the only possibility, let me remind you that it’s not.

There’s always a choice. Just trust in God and believe that he will save you. God always comes through. Even if you fail in this world, but believe in Jesus Christ, you will be able to have a much better life in heaven. All the good things you do now will get you great rewards in heaven. I’m not saying that you will get to heaven by doing good deeds, but if you do them, and believe in God you will be very happy. That’s all I have to say, except, God loves you. Oh, and one more thing, if you see a bear in the woods, and there’s a “Please Don’t Feed the Bears” sign there, you should probably listen to it. Chances are, that those bears aren’t as friendly as Benjamin and his family. Oh, and you should probably run. – Caleb