Rose Red and Black Bear

By Gwen Williams

During one bitterly cold winter, Rose Red forges a strong bond with Black Bear, an animal of the forest who seeks sanctuary
at her mother's hearth. And, although he is an animal, she finds to her surprise that Black Bear understands her heart

When winter thaws to spring, Black Bear leaves, taking with him all her good wishes and a few tears.

The years pass, and a succession of suitors appear and satisfy Rose Red's carnal needs, but not the needs of her heart. she
remembers the bear and wonders if she will ever find a man who understands her as intimately as he.

After all, how can she possibly banish from her mind the words spoken to her by Black Bear, on one night when she played too
hard with him, "Red Rose, Red Rose, would you have your lover dead?"

But how can one make a life with a bear?