North Carolina boy says he hung out with bear after vanishing from his grandmother's backyard.

[betsuni]

27. Saved by a Bear, a story from Suzuki Bokushi's "Snow Country Tales."

Guy falls downhill while collecting firewood in winter and finds a cave: "As I groped a bit further, my fingertips felt what could only be -- a bear! I was frightened to death. ... 'Sir Bear,' I stammered, 'I am only a fellow who went out to collect firewood and fell into this valley ... but if you have mercy, help.' And I stroked the bear all the while ... . In a moment it was beside me and nudged me with its rear end. When I sat down where the bear had been, what warmth! It was like a hearth, and as my whole body grew warm and I forgot the cold I thanked the bear profusely and begged it again to save me ... . At this the bear raised its paw and softly pressed it to my mouth several times. Recalling that bears live off a store of crushed ants in the winter, I licked the paw and found the taste sweet, but a little sharp. After licking the paw several times I felt refreshed and my thirst was quenched. ... Realizing that the bear was going to save me, I was greatly relieved. I lay down back to back with the bear and thought only of returning to my village, not the least bit sleepy. Then before I knew it I was asleep, too."