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Bernice has a normal day. After saying goodbye to Ethan, who was racing to his grandmother's house because she promised that there might be apple pie for snack, Bernice quickly opened the door to her small house and jumped inside. She shut it fast so all the sweet smells of cookies wouldn't escape into the cold. Papa Cookie, I'm home and I'm super hungry as always. And it's almost Christmas because it's snowing out, she called. Bernice hung up her jacket on the coat hook and sat down to take off her sneakers. Mama gave her boots to wear, but Bernice thought they looked too fancy for an ordinary Wednesday. Then she heard the soft sounds of Cookie's paws padding across the floor. Cookie stopped just around the corner, waiting, judging, calculating. It was something she did often now because she expected Bernice to be wet from snow, and Cookie did not like wet. It's okay, Cookie, bernice said, wiggling her toes. I ran super fast from the bus and it's only snowing a teeny bit. No snowstorms yet, but which means no snow days either. Satisfied, Cookie finally approached and curled herself between Bernice's legs, purring as Bernice rubbed under her chin. Did you miss me today, Cookie? I missed you even though I was super busy and stuff. It was another crazy day. I had a math test, which was no big whoop, and more English work, which I think is getting easier. My essays aren't the best in the world, but almost. Except for Gertrude's and Ethan's. They're genius essay writers even though they pretend they aren't. Cookie blinked slowly. Oh, and art class was fun too. Bernice continued. We got to paint flowers. Isn't that strange? Like, shouldn't we be painting leaves and stuff? There are so many leaves on the ground right now, but pretty soon everything will turn from orange and red to white. I guess no one knows when because weather has a mind of its own. Cookie replied by purring even louder. Sometimes Bernice thought Cookie liked listening to her talk like she understood every single word. And even though Bernice knew cats couldn't really understand human language, she still wondered if maybe Cookie was different. Maybe she was secretly super smart like Bernice. Then the floor vibrated just a tiny bit and Cookie looked up at her with wide eyes. Oops, sorry, Cookie. That was my stomach growling. Bernice whispered, my science teacher says I have a great metabolism because I need to eat a lot. And maybe it's true, especially after swimming days and stuff, which are like energy vacuum days. So I guess I should go in and have a snack. Cookies help with just about everything, right? She carefully stood up, put her sneakers away, and pointed down the hallway. I'll see you in my room later, okay? I have homework to do and you are my best homework partner. Even better than Bobby, though he does know more jokes. Bernice ran into the kitchen. Papa, it smells super yummy delicious in here. She said as she dropped her backpack beside her usual chair. Which is good because my stomach is making really loud gurgling noises. It almost scared Cookie, but I think she's used to it by now. Papa Bear laughed. I made some cookies to help warm you up today. They have a little ginger in them, just enough to make your tummy feel warm and cozy. Isn't that really spicy, Papa? Bernice asked while washing her hands. Some kids brought lunches with ginger in them and I didn't taste it, but Bobby said it was like eating super hot peppers. Papa Bear shook his head. It's not spicy like that. Think of it as warm. Like a warm hug. And you know Bobby. He has a talent for dramatic storytelling. Bernie skiggled. True, at lunchtime he exaggerates everything, but during class he's been way less exaggerated. She sat down and took a great big bite of a cookie just as Papa Bear said a cup of warmed milk in front of her. These really are yummy. Yummy, Papa, and not super spicy at all. Bernice said, spraying just a few crumbs across the table. Papa Bear chuckled as he sat down with his tea. You certainly seem hungry today, Little Bear. Why don't you tell me all about your day. Okay, bernice said, taking a big drink of milk that left a tiny milk mustache. Well, it was a normal day, Papa. You know, school stuff. But oh, lunchtime. You will never guess what Bobby brought for his sweet treat today, so I'll just tell you. He brought carrot cake, Papa, can you believe it? It's like his whole carrotscaw stinks face is gone forever. At least he doesn't say anything. I don't sit beside him every day now, so maybe he still has the stinks and I just don't know. Papa Bear snorted. That is a change for Bobby. And he also brought a wrap with vegetables inside. Bernice went on. Vegetables. And he didn't complain once, not even a teeny tiny grumble. Papa raised his eyebrows. A very big change for Bobby. Oh, and today one of our friends brought adobo to share and it was pretty tasty. And my other friend, the one who doesn't always sit with us because he's, you know, popular with everyone, he brought a curry his mom made with some yummy flatbread. I didn't get to try it, but Gertrude did and she said it was good but waved her hand over her tongue so that probably means it was spicy. Bernice took another bite of cookie. I shared my cookies again today because I was really hungry and ate all the sandwich Mama made me even though she cut it into triangles for easy sharing. I said sorry and everyone understood and still shared with me because they knew I was hungry. Our kids share all the time, especially if someone forgets their lunch or something like that. You have a good group of classmates, Little Bear, papa Bear said warmly. And it's important to help each other when someone needs a hand. That's what friends do. Yeah, bernice said with a nod. I think so too. How about your math test? Oh, right. Bernice giggled. I get so excited about food I forget about everything else. Maybe I should be a famous chef instead of a scientist and artist. Anyway, my Math test was 100%. It wasn't too hard, though some of the questions were tricky. My math teacher asked me to help Ethan a little because he struggled with a few problems. So Ethan said he'll help me more with essay writing. It's super fair. I think that's wonderful, Papa Bear said. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Helping each other makes us stronger. Did you have art class today? Yeah, but Papa, I don't know why we're painting flowers when outside everything is orange and red. And now there's snow coming down too. Bobby didn't think it was strange, but he hasn't been very into painting ever since he wasn't allowed to paint poop emojis anymore or joke stuff. Papa Bear laughed. Your art teacher might be following a plan, Little Bear, and this class is more advanced than the ones where you used to make art from leaves and twigs. That's true, bernice agreed. But maybe I can paint fall leaves on my own, just for fun and practice. That sounds like a wonderful idea, papa said. Do you have homework, Papa? Bernice sighed dramatically. Ugh. I always have homework. Homework is my life. But it's not too much today. And Cookie will help me. She's very good at that. Then maybe I'll try painting while I'm feeling inspired. Papa Bear smiled. Okay, finish your cookies and milk. I'll be here helping get dinner ready. Mama will be home soon and she'll probably want to give you a great big hug. A Mama Bear hug, right? Bernice said with a grin. That's right. After finishing her homework, having a yummy dinner, and spending some time painting, Bernice started her bedtime routine. She had to scrub her hands extra hard because she'd gotten swirly red paint on them at school, and for some reason it still wouldn't wash off. Then she had a bath, did a little yoga with Mama, and settled her clothes for the morning. It was going to be hoodies and jeans like usual. Finally, she jumped into bed, arrange Twigga, Wolfie, and Madeline just right, pulled the blanket up to her chin, and called out, it's that time, Papa. And what time is that, Little Bear? Papa Bear called back from the kitchen. I think it might be time for a story. Papa Bear sauntered up the stairs, making the whole house shake just a little. When he reached Bernice's room, he peeked around the door to see if she was still still awake. I see you, Papa, and yes, I am still awake. Bernice said with a giggle. Just checking, papa Bear said with a smile. Then Cookie padded into the room and curled up at the foot of the bed, making a perfect donut shape. Well, since everyone is here, papa Bear said, I guess we can have a story. Could you tell me a silly one so I can have silly dreams? Bernice asked, finishing with her own sleepy yawn. I can try. Are you comfy? Yes, Papa. And how about Twiggle, Wolfy, and Madeline? Are they comfy too? I think they are. Papa Bear smiled. All right then, give me a hug and a kiss and I'll tell you a super silly story. I love you, Papa. I love you too, Little Bear. Once upon a time, in a world full of magic and fun, there lived a little frog named Boop, papa Bear began. He lived with his family in the mystical forest. And in this forest there were unicorns and fairies, gnomes and all sorts of insects, birds, and animals. It was a wonderful place. Frongs, papa continued, are a bit like dogs. Well, our dogs. And of course, there were dogs in the mystical forest, too. And cats. But I haven't quite thought about them yet. You need to think of the cats, Papa, bernice murmured, opening her eyes just a tiny bit. Otherwise Cookie might feel left out. Papa Bear laughed softly. Okay, okay. I'll think up a whole story about the cats in the mystical forest for next time. He cleared his throat and slipped back into his storytelling voice, starting again. So on this particular day, Boop couldn't sit still at all. His teacher, Mr. Wibble, was trying to explain something about cloud reading. Or maybe it was creek whispering. Honestly, Boop had no idea, because all he could think about were magical mangoes. The real ones. The ones that grew on the three ancient trees near his home. The ones that glowed purple gold when they were perfectly ripe. The ones that tasted like. Like. Papa Bear paused dramatically. There weren't even words. Boop. Mr. Wibble's whiskers twitched. Are you listening? Yes. Totally. Cloud reading. Very important. Boop's back leg was doing that thumping thing it always did when he got excited. The other frongs giggled. They knew, everyone knew, that when magical mango season arrived, Boop practically vibrated with excitement. Last year he'd even tried to leave school early by pretending he had a fever, but frogs were terrible at telling fibs, and his ears had turned bright red like little lanterns. Finally, finally, Mr. Wibble dismissed them. Boop exploded out the door like he'd been launched from a catapult. The path home wound through the city Silver Tree Grove, and Boop was moving so fast his feet barely touched the ground. He could already taste it, that first bite, the juice running down his chin, the way his whole mouth would tingle with magic. Wait. Someone was crying. Boop tried to keep running, he really did, but his feet stopped on their own. Because that's what happened when you were a frog. You couldn't just ignore someone who needed help, even if every single cell in your body was screaming. Mangoes, mangoes, mangoes. A tiny pixie sat on a mossy rock, wings drooping. Um, boop said. You okay? No. The pixie looked up, her face blotchy and scrunched. My little brother flew into the fern hollow. And now he's stuck, and I'm too small to pull him out, and my parents are at the market and. She gulped. And he's scared of the dark, and it's going to be dark soon. Boop's tummy felt squishy. The Fern hollow was far, very far. And the mangoes, well, the good ones would be gone by the time he got back. All the forest creatures picked them fast. Show me where, he said quietly. The pixie, her name was Shimmer, zipped through the trees, and Boop had to hop right run to keep up. His thoughts kept drifting back to those mangoes, probably glowing perfectly right now. Probably being picked by somebody else. Stop it, he told himself. Focus. The Fern Hollow was a strange little canyon where vines curled into wild spirals. And yes, there was Shimmer's brother, wrapped up like a fuzzy burrito, crying softly. I just wanted to see the glow bugs, he sniffled. Getting him out was actually kind of funny. Boop had to bounce on certain vines to loosen others, and at one point, he got tangled up himself. Shimmer had to tug on his ears while her brother giggled through his tears. By the time they finally freed him, all three of them were covered in vine SAP, leaves, and about nine different kinds of forest goo. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Shimmer wrapped her tiny arms around Boop's leg. By the time Boop made it back to the mango trees, the sun was setting and, well, the trees were basically bare. Just a few small greenish mangoes left. Definitely not magical yet. He felt a flutter of disappointment. But deep down, he knew he'd done the right thing. Boop. Boop. Shimmer came flying toward him, carrying something that glowed. My parents wanted you to have these. She held out three mangoes. But not ordinary magical mangoes. These were bigger, brighter, almost pink gold. They're from our secret grove. The really special ones. Boop's eyes went wide. But we share with friends, shimmer said, grinning. They were super yummy. And with the gentle sound of Bernice's snorts, Papa Bear turned down her light, gave her a kiss on the forehead and said, I love you, Little Bear. And that is the end of our story. Good night. Sleep tight, Sam.