The bears were back

It was late autumn and the men could hear the grunts and roars of bears in the forest. They knew they may have to leave the cave if the bears decided to hibernate there this winter. They had to fight the bears or leave and there was much discussion where they should go.

Dum didn't say much merely saying "Let's wait until the bears choose where to go". Grunt saw the twinkle in Dum's good eye.

"What about the bears then?", he asked.

"Let them look in the cave. It may not suit them" said Dum. "But we should gather a lot of wood for the fire with winter coming and store it in the cave".

A few days later the bears came. Luckily those inside could see the bears as the caves were dark to bears and this gave them a chance to escape without the bears seeing them.

Everyone gathered to discuss where to sleep that night. As Dum's suggestion they built a few fires that night some way off and gathered extra fuel to keep them going. The men took it in turns to keep watch and when it was Dum and Grunt's turn, Dum said he would check the cave taking a fire brand with him. All was quiet there except for bears grunts and snorts. So Dum entered and set light to the dry wood store inside.Then he backed out and hurried to the others. 

Before long everyone woke at the roars of the trapped bears inside the cave as they were overcome by the smoke and unable leave as the fire engulfed the entrance.

Grunt said "Won't they come and attack us?"

Dum shook his head "If they escape they won't come towards another fire will they?"

In the morning they carefully checked the cave finding no bears had escaped the smoke and flames. Yum was pleased; she went up to Dum and asked if they could use the bear skins. Dum looked doubtful but said  "We can try".

(323 words)

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