Unexpected Turns: The Painted Bear

"Yarl was barking, wasn't he, and there were people walking about. They kept me awake. Talk talk talk. I don't know! Why do people talk so much?"

"They like talking," said Kasia.

"But they talk such a lot of nonsense! Half of what they say is silly, and the other half is not worth listening to!"

"Please don't talk so loud!" said Kasia.

"Oh yes, your mother. Well I don't like the way she talks to you! Fancy keeping you in this room for six years. It's not right. I think she should let you out sometimes. There's a great big world out there and it's so wonderful and beautiful!"

"No there isn't," said Kasia, "There's just trees and things."

"But I've been out there, and I know what I saw. I think you ought to come with me some time."

"Can't."

"Why not?"

"Mummy would be very cross."

"No she wouldn't."

"Yes she would."

"OK I agree, she would be very angry . . . but what if you never came back? Your mummy wouldn't be able to be cross with you would she!"

"Never?" whispered Kasia, almost too afraid to say it.

"Sure!" said Panda, "We bears have lived outside all our lives. It's easy. We don't have to stay in one room all our lives. Come on Kasia, my friend, how about coming with me ... tonight?"

Kasia turned away from Panda and hunched her shoulders.

"Mummy's going to be awfully mad!" she said.

"Pah! Forget your mother for a moment. I'll look after you!"

Suddenly, the door opened.

"You lying brat!" said the ugly woman in the doorway, "You deceiving little monster!"