Broo in Nahloo

Cathy Predmore

Broo in Nahloo

In the magical land of Nahloo, there were bright blue skies with clouds like spun sugar and tiny red birds that fluttered together in groups of eight. The mountains were covered with tall trees that smelled of maple syrup and their peaks were surrounded by swirling purple mist. The ponds on Nahloo were home to white swans with pink tipped feathers who spoke fluid French. This special land was ruled by a kind and beautiful princess named Autumn Renee.

Princess Autumn Renee had long, dancing brown hair that glistened in the light of the sun. Her eyes were big and the warmest of brown. Her cheeks were like ripe apples and her manner just as sweet. The princess lived in a castle full of kittens who painted pretty pictures with their small paws. She ruled over a kingdom filled with kind-hearted people who shared snacks in the afternoon and animals that waltzed in the moonlight.

Nahloo was a land of plenty, with lots of wonderful food to share. Fat grapes grew on vines over thatched houses and fresh eggs were laid by agreeable chickens. Pink and white cows gave strawberry milk and baker badgers made chocolate chip cookies for everyone. Squirrels took charge of toasting wheat nut bread while bees covered it in sweet honey. The Princess herself made peanut butter and jelly-filled donuts and the little red birds delivered them as the smiling sun rose in the sky. Everyone gave to each other so their hearts were happy.

Nahloo was a peaceful place until one day a dark blue bear came down from the mountains who had crossed over from a neighboring land. He didn’t want to waltz by the moon’s light and he definitely did not want to share. His name was Broo and he was most quarrelsome.

Broo gobbled up grapes and so frightened the chickens that they couldn’t lay eggs. He grabbed cookies and stuffed every single one into his mouth, leaving crumbs all over the badgers’ kitchen. He gulped down gallons of milk and splashed through the swan’s ponds. When the bees saw what Broo was doing they kept all their honey and the squirrels hid their nutty bread. Broo caused chaos everywhere.

When the princess heard about Broo, she said, “Oh my. This will not do. ” She came down from the castle and found Broo, who was busy raiding a honey pot. “Mr. Bear,” she said, “You are welcome in Nahloo but not your ways. ” Startled, Broo stopped his pursuit of the pot and looked up at the Princess. She said “Here we give to others, not take from them. I would think you feel quite disagreeable now and not just because of all you’ve eaten. ” Broo thought about it for a moment it and realized that was true. “Well,” he grumbled, “Maybe all that strawberry milk wasn’t the best idea. ” The princess continued, “Mr. Bear, you can eat and eat but won’t ever really feel good because that comes only from giving. I think you’ll find that it is better to be full in your heart, then in your stomach. ” With that, she went back up to the castle leaving a dazed Broo behind.

Broo continued with his greedy ways for awhile. However, no matter how much Broo would eat, he still felt empty inside. One day, after he’d just taken a batch of cookies from the badgers he paused for a moment and remembered what the pretty princess said to him. He slowly turned around and then…gave them back. The badgers were pleased and surprised and said, “Thank you, Mr. Bear, for your kindness. These cookies will now taste twice as sweet because they were given to us by a friend. If you’d like, come back tomorrow and we’ll have a batch fresh out of the oven for you. ” Broo was filled with joy and went through the land, giving back everything he’d taken. In return, he received a promise from everyone to share their food with him and a pledge of friendship. The dark blue bear became very popular in Nahloo. He even opened up a side-business with squirrels, making grilled cheese out of his cave. It tasted wonderful on their nutty bread. Broo was so delighted that he even started dancing in the moonlight, with the wise princess as his partner.

The End