Bartholomew Bear and the Little Honey Pot

Chapter 1: A bear who is jealous of a new baby sibling

In a snug cave on the side of Maple Mountain, there lived a young bear named Bartholomew. Bartholomew had round brown ears, big soft paws, and a favorite spot on Mama Bear's lap, where he had sat every evening for as long as he could remember.

Mama and Papa called him "Barty," and every night, Mama read him a bedtime story while Papa hummed a lullaby. It was the coziest, happiest part of his day.

Then one frosty morning, everything changed.

Papa Bear came home from the Healing Hollow with a small bundle wrapped in a blanket. Out of the blanket peeked a tiny nose, two tiny paws, and a pair of eyes as round as acorns.

"Barty," said Mama, smiling, "meet your baby sister. Her name is Honey."

Barty peered at the bundle. Honey yawned, wiggled, and let out a squeaky little sound.

"She's... small," said Barty.

"She is," said Papa, "and she's going to need lots of help from a big brother."

At first, Barty was curious. But as the days passed, a strange, prickly feeling began to grow inside him.

Honey cried, and Mama rushed to her. Honey needed feeding, and Mama sat with her for ages. Honey slept in Mama's arms, and Barty's lap spot stayed empty. Visitors came from all over Maple Mountain, bringing gifts and cooing, "Oh, what a darling!" Nobody said, "Oh, what a big, wonderful Barty!"