BEECHAM THE BEAR WHO LOST HIS HAIR

A revised version of a story poem for children about a forgetful bear named Beecham who doesn't know where his hair is

BEECHMAN THE BEAR 

WHO LOST HIS HAIR

By R. A. Merritt

1

Beecham the bear he lost his hair he lost it in the snow

He lost it while going home where he did not know.

One minute it was here and the next it was gone

Like the sweet sound of a bird as he sings his lovely song.

"How can that be?" he wondered.  "Where might my hair be?

I know no one has borrowed it for no one is here but me!" 

It was mighty confusing this loss of his hairy attire

And made him wish right then to be standing near a fire.

For you know as I said before there was snow upon the ground

And it was freezing him to the core and his hair could not be found. 

"Well what in the world will I do and where will I have to go

I can't go 'round naked standing in this snow?" 

So Beecham he went back home, home to his nearby cave

And washed his face really good, but he did not shave.

Now bears I'm sure you know when it's cold and the year is growing late

Are generally known at such a time to rest and hibernate.

Yet Beecham was sure of one thing, sure as the day goes by

That if he had no fur to cover him then he may well die!

2

So he decided to set off upon this very day

In search of what you ask?  Well he could not really say.

He had to find some shelter of course warmer than his cave,

Something to keep him warm that is what he craved.

He went outside then and set upon the trail

He had to have some shelter he could in no way fail.

And after several miles of this cold and lonely trek

The snow at times near rising up to his neck.

He came upon a deer a rude fellow I must say

Who began to laugh at this bear along, his cold, and lonely way. 

The deer he laughed quite hardily at a sight so rare

The sight of a bear walking about with out his usual hair!

Beecham grew quite angry and if the time had been just right

He might have had that deer to whet his appetite!

But he wasn't hungry just then just cold and full of despair

For it's quite embarrassing to be a bear without your hair. 

"Shut up you deer for you know it's not very nice

To laugh at others troubles and I suggest you just think twice!

Although I've lost my hair I still have my teeth

Just you look right there!"  

He pointed to his scary teeth then

Showed them to the very rude deer 

3

Who straight away ran away filled with a lot of fear.  

Yes it was getting colder as he made his way 

Through drifts of snow

Upon this cold and wintry, day. 

On through the forest he went as the sun scaled the sky 

And as he grew colder the bear he began to cry.  

"Woe is me, a naked bear, a naked bear alone 

Stuck in the snow and freezing to the bone!  

What happened to my hair I fear I shall never know 

Why it could be down there anywhere beneath the snow!"

Now I'm sure you understand just how sad he felt

For it was early winter and the snow would not soon melt. 

And then just above him lingering in a tree

He heard a deep voice responding to his plea. 

"Whooo, whooo, whooo are you my cold and whiny chap

Whose silly, childish, crying disturbs my winter nap?" 

Looking up Beecham saw what was a large and angry owl

A look upon his face that could only be called a scowl.

"Why I'm a bear."  Said Beecham.  "That is plain to see

A sad and bewildered bear that is surely me."

"Why you can't be a bear my friend!" the owl said with a stir.

4

"Bears are big, and hairy and you have no signs of fur!"

Now Beecham was restless and cold and the hour was getting late.

And he had no desire to stay here and with this ol' owl debate. 

But he had to set him straight this so called wise ol' bird

He would set him straight with his final words.

"I did, I did, you ol’ owl I did have lots of hair,

But I've lost it alone the way and I can't remember where."

"Why that's the silliest thing that I've ever heard!

Are you sure you are a bear and not a cuckoo bird?" 

"Why of course I am a bear."  Said Beecham. 

"Don't you have two eyes

It was my understanding that owls are very wise.

But you can't be too smart if you fail to closely note

That I am simply a bear who is without his winter coat."

Now the owl he looked closely at him and pondered for a bit

And soon it was apparent to him and this he did admit. 

"Why I guess you are what you say,

But you can't go about dressed in this silly way!" 

"Dressed, dressed, I'm not dressed haven't you heard a word I've said?

You may be an owl, but I think empty is your head!"

The owl he laughed out loud then he laughed with gleeful zest

At the naked fellow who'd disturbed his daytime rest.

5

"Empty my head may be."  He said with a hoot.

"But you'll not fail to notice that I'm wearing my my winter suit!

I'm not so forgetful that I'd forget such a thing

Why I go 'round dressed all the time winter, summer, spring!"

"Well I do too don't you understand?

I didn't set out to lose it that was not my plan!

I was just walking along when suddenly I realized

That my fur had disappeared right before my eyes!

I don't remember what happened where it might be

But I certainly wish it would come right back to me!"

"Are you sure it wasn't stolen that may be what took place?"

"No, no one could have done that right before my face!

Who would be so bold as to do such a thing

I'm sure you are well aware that bears can be quite mean?"

"Then maybe it just fell off 

have you felt ill of late or maybe had a cough?"

"No I've felt fine in fact I must say

I've felt very good since the beginning of the day.

In fact I woke up early I was lively as a bear can be

I'm in no way sick that should be plain to see.

But you know if I don't find my fur before the day is through

I'll surely come down with something, pneumonia or the flu!"

6

"Yes indeed I agree with that, that is sure to occur,

You will definitely get sick if you don't find your fur!"

"What do you think then what should I do?

I am totally at a lost, I simply don't have a clue!"

"Well now if you had some money like the humans carry around

You could just walk into a store in their nearby town!

You could buy you one, a brand new one, in fact,

You could get one that's any color or plain ol' brown or black."

"Oh don't be silly I wouldn't do that at all

Unless I wished my head to be mounted upon some wall!

The humans would go bananas if they saw me in their town!

There would be people going bonkers and with guns be running 'round!

No, no that is not a choice a choice for me to make!

Can't you think of something else, something else for goodness sake?" 

"I said you could do it if only you had some dough,

But I know you can't do it, that I surely know!

I was thinking out loud my friend like everyone should do

I've set my mind to work, I've set my mind to stew.

I'm certain I'll solve your problem I'll try and try and try

And I'll come up with the answer in the sweet by and by.

You can't resolve a problem without giving it a lot of thought

That is what the wisest scholars have always surely taught!" 

7

Then suddenly the bear looked back looked back to where he had been

And he soon cleared his throat and said.  "Excuse me owl, my friend?"

And suddenly he took off running, running through the snow

Running like he was in a hurry to someplace he had to go.

The owl he was shocked by this and soon he left his perch

And flew down toward the bear running with a lurch.

"Where are you going where are you off too?

We haven't figured it out yet, we are hardly through?"

Beecham looked above then at the thoughtful curious owl

He had to tell him something, but he just did not know how.

"Excuse me owl my chum, but I must be on my way

I have to rush back home, back home to my cave!"

"And why is that bear why do you have to go? 

That is surely something I would like to know!"

Beecham stopped a moment and a blush was on his face.

He felt quite bad then he was filled with such disgrace.

"Well I have to tell you something I have to tell you now

You've solved my problem dude, you are a wise ol' owl!

You made me think then, with what you said you see

You made me think back and now it's very clear to me."

"And pray tell me bear, what is you conclusion,

Where is it your hair might be, what is the solution?" 

8

Beecham cleared his throat again growing redder as he did

He felt at that moment like some dumb ol' silly kid.

"Well I thought it over like you said I should

I thought, and thought, and thought, and did the best I could.

And then it came back to me like a shot right out of the blue

Like a bolt of lightning and then suddenly I knew."

"And suddenly you knew, and pray tell me the answer bear

Please make it plain to me where is it at where is you left your hair

I'm really keen to know so this information share?" 

Beecham frowned then and his declaration made

And when he was done he again set off to his cave.

And once he knew the truth the owl he flew away

Flew back to his tree to sleep some more that day. 

And soon there came the darkness and it was time for him to go

To fly out in search of some food as owls do you know?

It was rough for him this night for he hadn't gotten much rest

For what he'd done for the bear his whining hairless guest!

And he made up his mind when next he saw such a thing

To remind him from the start THAT HE'D SENT OUT TO CLEAN!

"Goodness me!" he thought. "Goodness me my word!

I'm now quite convinced HE WAS A CUCKOO BIRD!"

Author's Note

A revised version of a children's book I wrote some time ago and think would make for a great continuing character in a series of tales. See if you agree?