There’s no excuse for what I’ve done. I can only say it had to be done.
The way I see it, I had no other choice, and maybe that sounds like an excuse, but when you know the whole story, I think you’ll agree.
See, it was a day like any other day. My wife was at work, and I was doing my husbandly duty of taking out the trash.
I was minding my own business, humming along to the incessant tune in my head, when out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of a movement low to the ground. After I dropped the odoriferous bag into the large metal trashcan beside our garage, I walked around the side of the house and into the back yard, curious to see what small animal was lurking.
The last thing I wanted was for my dog to go nuts because the neighbor’s fat tabby was mousing in her space again.
But lo and behold, what I found was nothing more than a spectacled bear. Wait. I mean, Holy moly! A spectacled bear!
I live in a suburb of Portland, Oregon. We do not have bears like this here. I’ve only seen bears like this in books. To be honest, I’ve never seen any bear with my own eyes outside the zoo.
Poor guy. He was huddled in the corner of the fence, behind my maple tree. I should just say, I called it a he, but for all I know it was a she.
I looked around, wondering if there’d be a mama speckles somewhere, but it appeared he was very alone. I got down on my hands and knees and crawled over to the little fella.
“Hey fella,” I said in my most unthreatening voice. “Where’d you come from?”
He stared back at me with those round eyes and made a growl sound we’ll have to assume was a whimper. I still have all my fingers, so it’s a good assumption.
At this point I probably should have called animal control, but he looked so scared and hungry. I decided to feed him first. What else would any self-respecting animal lover do? See, I had no choice.
I pulled my dumb smartphone out of my pocket and searched the internet. I typed ‘what do spectacled bears eat.’
I got a few hits, and I was relieved to find out they’re omnivores, so I wouldn’t have to feed him my schnauzer. The website said they eat bamboo and cacti. Nope. No bamboo or cacti here. They eat grass. That’s a possibility, but I worked hard on this lawn. Tree bark. Not a chance. I love this maple tree. We’ll not be pulling off its bark. We’re all out of honey and fruit. I wished I hadn’t eaten that last apple this morning.
After all this, that left one thing. One thing these bears like to eat. Orchids, specifically the bulbs. Now I know what you’re thinking. I should have sacrificed the lawn or some of the bark off the tree, but listen, orchids were first on the list of things spectacled bears like. Grass and tree bark were at the end of the list.
How could I deny the sweet little guy the food he likes most when I have it to offer? I couldn’t. Of course I gave him my wife’s prized competition orchid to munch on while I called animal control. And after seeing the way he devoured it, I feel confident I made the right choice.
Of course, if I’d have known how uncomfortable our couch was maybe I would have pretended never to have seen the bear in the first place.
genre: humor
Rachael Ritchey 
Excellent use of the prompt, Rachael and a truly entertaining tale. I really enjoyed it – he’d have been sleeping on the couch for a long, long time if he’d touched my prized orchids 😉
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Even for a misguided good cause? 😉 haha
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Was not expecting that awesome last line but the whole thing was brilliant. Love this.
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Thanks, Sarah. I couldn’t wait to write the last line. 🙂
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I’ll bet! 😀
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Brilliant. D I wonder what was more dangerous? The bear of the wife? 😉
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Good question! Haha
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I think he was either brave or (dare I say) not so wise in the head to get close to a bear and then try to feed it. Hehe, both things wildlife rangers tell you never to do. 😀
Great story, I had no idea anything liked to eat orchids. They are some of my favorite flowers ^_^ and sadly I always manage to kill them. Unintentional Orchid-Killer. X)
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LOL UOK for life. Come on, E. Are you telling me if you had a little bear cub in your yard, you’d run away? ;P
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LOL, I would panic! XD
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Cute story !! I just knew he’d take the flower—
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haha You can’t refuse a cute little specatacled bear its favorite flower food. 🙂
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What a way to start the morning, such an entertaining read Rachael, I loved this. If my husband gave my prized orchid to a speccy bear I’d relegate him to the wilderness, (I love orchids!) not just the coach! Very good. 😉
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🙂 Thanks, Marje! I’m glad it gave you a smile for your morning. Orchids are amazing flowers! I didn’t realize how many species there were and how many more people have bred! 🙂
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Yes they are amazing. I was born in Singapore and they have the most wonderful orchid gardens such an amazing sight.
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That’s something I’d like to see.
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The orangutans in the jungle in Malaysia are pretty cool too! But be prepared to run if they get angry….
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LOL it sounds like you’re speaking from experience.
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Yes, we had to run!!! The fittest amongst my relatives did a sprint, I kind of ambled along to safety. I can’t run even when an orang-utan is chasing me!! Quite a funny recollection now when I think back about it….
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I can just imagine. I’m sure there was much heavy breathing and laughter after that incident. 🙂
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Yes, just a tad! 🙂
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“so I wouldn’t have to feed him my schnauzer.” Hahahaha! Loved this one!
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Great use of ‘orchid’ IBFF! Will keep watch the next time I take my bins out for any spectacled bears!
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Good idea. Keep and orchid on hand, just in case!
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I have no idea what an orchid looks like so will grab and hope for the best 🙂
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