Dancing bear

Every week we went to market and every week there was a dancing bear. He had bells on his feet and a ring through his nose. His trainer would say "Up, Boy, up" and he would lift his weary feet and dance. As he danced people would laugh, they threw bits of rubbish at him. They taunted him with food. At the end of a show his trainer would smile. He'd look in his bucket and collect his money. Then one day he put the bear to bed but forgot to lock the cage he was in. Me and my mum were just leaving the market but as we walked past the bear's cage the door swung open and the bear climbed out. The bear ambled over to where I stood and looked me in the eye. I looked into his deep brown eyes and saw a scene of peace. I saw snow covered mountains and large open plains and I new what he wanted.

"Go," I said. "Be free"

Then with a final look at me he turned and bounded away in search of the place he loved. I will never forget that old dancing bear, as I will never forget what he showed me. Who knows where he went but where-ever he is I hope he lives the rest of his seasons in peace.

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