A forest fire, the worst one ever in the North Woods, raced toward Mother Bear and her two baby cubs. They were trapped between it and the cold water of the endless lake. Mother Bear knew ke they had no choice. They would have to swim. "But, Mother," said one of the cubs. "The old ones say this lake has no other shore. We will have ne to swim forever. No, my precious children. There is a shore. I wa have seen it." She was not being honest. She did not know what was on the other side. But her lie calmed them. They followed her into the water and began swimming east. For days they paddled, sw seeing nothing but bright water all around them. the When they grew hungry, they caught fish. They Cu certainly did not lack water to drink. But they could not sleep or even stop moving their legs are to rest. Mother Bear was angry with herself for leading her cubs on such a hopeless journey