Bear and Mouse lived side by side.
Bear kept his den just the way he liked it. It was cool in summer, cozy in fall, warm in winter, dry in spring, and tidy all year round.
Mouse kept her den just the way she liked it. She filled it with berries in summer, gourds in fall, pine boughs in winter, flowers in spring, and trinkets all year round.
“Your home is very plain,” Mouse told Bear.
“Yes, it is,” said Bear. “Your home is very fancy.”
“Yes, it is,” said Mouse.
They had their differences.
Ah, well, thought Mouse. Not all neighbors are friends.
She was too busy collecting things for her den to make friends anyway.
Ah, well, thought Bear. Not all friends are neighbors.
He had a good…