Bears Discover Fire
The Coming of a New Age
Bears Discover Fire
Bears Discover Fire is one of the world's most loved science fiction short stories written by award winning author Terry Bisson. It is a truly unique "tall tale" with no logical conclusion and leaves it interpretation entirely up to the reader.
A Strange Phenomenon
The narrator begins the story telling of how his nephew, his brother , and himself had a flat tire on the way to see their mother in the "old folks home" . While changing a flat on the side of the road with a faulty flashlight, they first encounter the bears holding torches of fire. They had heard such stories but doubted their existence.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Love is patient, Love is kind
The narrator lovingly tend his elderly mother visiting her regularly, seeing to her well being. His mother is prepared to die, and at times seems impatient to do so.
More Than Meets the Eye
Seeking her ultimate release the mother escapes the "old folk" home and seeks solitude around a campfire with the bears. The mother sits around the campfire with the bears. That is where her family finds her. She refuses to leave, so her family sits with her and the bears in silence around the campfire throughout the night. It is there around that campfire that she finds eternal rest.
Joy Comes in the Morning
It is clear that the narrator feels that if he can accept something as unimaginable as bears carrying fire, then he can accept the loss of his mother. Sometimes the greatest joy if found in accepting those things we cannot change, choosing to let go of preconceived boundaries.
Serenity Prayer
Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen