The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold by Regina Doman Read Free Book Online Page B

like that type.”
    “I’m grungy enough,” Bear agreed.
    “No—I mean the type who knows about hard work ennobling the soul,” Rose objected.
    “Rose, I don’t think you’re being fair,” Blanche said. “Would it really be so bad to be an accountant? People have to make a living somehow. I don’t see any contradiction for a princess to be a house-cleaner. Or a hairdresser, or a waitress.”
    “Yes, princesses are still princesses even if they’re poor,” Rose agreed. “Can you imagine a princess who works as a counter girl in a fast-food restaurant? Imagine if all the people who come in to place orders were to realize that their meal was served by a princess!”
    “I think it would be hard for a real princess to have to do menial work like that,” Blanche reflected. “She might think it was beneath her.”
    “Oh, but a real princess would know that hard work ennobles the soul,” Rose objected. “That would be one of the signs.”
    “I think that if a real princess was lost in this modern world, and she could be whatever she wanted, she would be a musician,” Blanche said slowly. “A violinist, or a harpist. That would be the only place where she could find solace for her lost kingdom.”
    “So your theory, Rose, as I understand it,” said Bear, “is that everyone in the world just might be something extraordinary, but very few of them know it?”
    “Oh, a few know it. Or at least, they have an inkling.” Rose took a generous sip of her hot chocolate and sighed.
    “Yes, you can tell Sister Geraldine knows,” Blanche reflected. “Everything means something to her. You just look into her eyes and know that she sees things as they really are, not as they seem. She sees the purpose and the implications of everything.”
    “Even improper grammar,” said Bear, smiling. “No doubt.”
    “Well, of course,” responded Blanche. “You can’t find truth so easily in disorder. Grammar—and biology—and chemistry—and math—they keep things in order. We wouldn’t know much without order. Good grammar does matter.”
    “It’s as though what we call reality is a huge chess game,” Rose said, still sketching her marvelous vision on the conversation, “but today, most people don’t realize what’s going on. They don’t know anything about chess. So they don’t understand most things that take place. Only a few people know what’s really happening any more. And even if you do know, it’s hard to keep that inner vision.”
    “True,” Mother said. “But when you catch a glimpse of the real meaning of life, it’s easier to find others who also have that insight.”
    “That’s why you found us, Bear. You’re one of those kinds of people. You know ,” Rose told him solemnly. “You could be a handsome prince in disguise.”
    Bear said nothing for a moment, looking up at the ceiling. When he looked back down, he said teasingly, “And are you two girls princesses in disguise?”
    Blanche and Rose exchanged glances. “I don’t think so,” Blanche mused. “I feel too ordinary.”
    “But maybe real princesses feel ordinary,” Bear said.
    “Oh, I don’t think so. How could a princess feel ordinary? I think we’re too plain. We’re probably just peasant maidens,” Blanche said.
    “Of course, either one of us could have a marvelous destiny in store for us,” Rose added, twisting a strand of hair around her finger.
    Bear accepted Mother’s offer of the last cookie and asked, “So what other extraordinary people have you found in the world, aside from nuns and grease monkeys?”
    “Well, there’s Mr. Freet with his silk waistcoats and walking sticks,” Blanche said. “Even though they’re out of place in our age, he doesn’t look funny in them. It’s as though he’s dropped out of another era into ours. He doesn’t fit, if you know what I mean.” Blanche glanced at Bear and caught a look of interest in his eyes.
    “Yeesss,” Rose meditated upon the empty cookie plate.