The Goldilocks Project

Aurora and the Three Polar Bears

Amber Mann

While the world lies fast asleep, Aurora lights up the heavens with her magical flowing skirt made of jade, amethyst, and sapphires. She doesn't mind at all that few ever see her, she doesn't dance for others, she dances for the joy of the crisp Arctic air. It had been another long night for young Aurora. The sun was coming up and Aurora was starving. She was on unfamiliar tundra. She looked around, wondering what she could eat. She sat down and began to munch on a patch of berries. Meanwhile a polar bear family was just up over the next ridge. Papa bear had been out early and had caught salmon for his family. He brought home a Chinook King, a Sockeye Red, and a Coho Silver. Nanertak was sad that he had slept in and had missed the fishing trip with Papa. Momma convinced Papa that the salmon could wait while Nanertak had a fishing lesson. Just yards away Aurora was dreaming of something a little more filling than tundra berries, and went exploring. Within minutes Aurora came across the bears' den. She knocked on the door, there was no answer, but the door creaked open. “Hello? Anybody home?” The smell of fresh salmon lured her in. Much to her surprise Aurora found three plates of salmon. She looked at the king salmon and decided that it was too big. The Coho was too little, but the sockeye looked just right. Aurora just couldn't help herself. She sat right down to her perfect feast. “Oh dear, I was hungrier than I thought,” Aurora giggled to herself as she sucked the last bone clean. Aurora knew she should be leaving but was just too full to move very far. She found three ice recliners. One was much too small and one was just too big. There was one that looked perfect. Aurora sat down, it felt so good to take a chilling rest. She forgot that her skirt had jewels of warmth and as she sat the ice began to melt. Plop! Aurora landed on her royal Borealis bum. “Oh fret, I've melted the chair.” Aurora stood up and wrung out her skirt. She was cold and wet. She noticed three seal skins in the corner. She was so cold that she wrapped herself up in all three. Aurora drifted off to sleep dreaming of lighting up the northern sky. About that time the bear family was heading back to their den with armfuls of salmon. Nanertak had proven himself to be quite the fisherman. Momma was a little worried to see the den's door open and then became more alarmed when she noticed only the skeleton of the Sockeye on her plate. “Something is just not right,” said Papa looking at Nanertak standing in a puddle of water. There was a low growl and a snort coming from the corner of the den. Papa grabbed Nanertak and momma hid behind him. “What is it?” whimpered momma. “Look,” cried Nanertak “it's glowing.” Just then Aurora woke up. Startled she jumped to her feet and ran out the door leaving a trail of jade, amethyst, and sapphires. The family followed the trail and watched as it led to the night sky. “Look, Papa,” whispered Nanertak, “isn't it beautiful. From time to time on clear crisps arctic nights the bear family sees Aurora and her glowing skirt. It's her way of thanking them for the Sockeye Red, the chilling place to rest, and the seal skins that kept her warm.