Work Text:
In the year 3020, mankind is extinct and bears have become the dominant species on Earth. However, most bears are still illiterate thus if they want to learn to read, they need books. The Grizzly tribe is at war with the Polar nation, fighting over a copy of Shakesbear’s works.
“Captain Bearzerk!” a voice growled. They were inside the Grizzly tribe tent, planning a strike on the Polar nation. Bears stood around, maps laid bare on a large oak table. “I have someone who wishes to speak to you”
“Tell them we’re busy” the Captain growled back
“But sir,” the bear replied, “They say they’re from the Polar Federation”
Around the crowded room, voices stopped as bears stood in shock; the Red Panda Federation had been wiped out years ago by the barbearic Honey Bear Kingdom.
“Fine then”, Bearzerk roared, “Send them in”
At first, Bearzerk didn’t notice her. When he finally did, he saw she was a small thing, only a quarter of Bearzerk’s own height, if that.
“Excuse me. My name is Ruby and I have a question” the meek little Red Panda asked, “Why do you need to fight?”
Bearzerk replied “We need to take our copy of Shakesbear’s works to teach our cubs how to read! Is that all you have to say to me?”
“But couldn’t you share it with the Polar Bears instead of fighting?”
Captain Bearzerk laughed heartily at this “Of course not! If we shared it with those primitive Polar bears, they’d just steal it. We cannot let them have Shakesbear’s works, at any cost”
“If you shared the book though, they probably wouldn’t steal it from you- they wouldn’t need to”
“Look little friend, that isn’t a chance we can afford to take. Now, if you have nothing else to say to me, get out of my tent”
So Ruby left Captain Bearzerk’s tent, dissatisfied. The next day, she went over to the tent of the Polar Bear king and asked again “Why do you need to fight?”
“Why wouldn’t we need to fight?” King Bearnard shouted back.
“I’m sorry Mr Bearnard, I thought I was asking questions here”
“Look Ruby, if we don’t fight those savage Grizzly’s, they’ll fight us to get Shakesbear’s works. Does that answer your question?”
On the third day, Ruby sat and watched from the side-lines as the two tribes of bears battled. Neither tribe knew that Ruby had stolen the book from Bearnard’s tent. It had never been about the book to the bears, they’d just wanted an excuse to fight. Ruby would return the book, but not to Captain Bearaerk or King Bearnard. Instead, she’d donate it to a libeary so all bear cubs would have the chance to read.
The End.