There was a cosy small cottage with red shutters, flower pots full of daisies, and a happy plume of smoke coming from the chimney. It was in the middle of a serene woodland. The Bear family lived there.
Papa Bear had a big, booming laugh and liked to hum while he chopped wood outside. He always smelt like pine and wore flannel shirts and large boots.
Mama Bear smiled warmly and had soft paws. She wore an old apron with embroidered sunflowers on it, and the fragrance of cinnamon and freshly baked bread permeated their house.
Baby Bear, who was no longer a baby, had brilliant eyes full of wonder and a small collection of shiny rocks that he always kept in his pocket.
The Bear family ate breakfast together at their round wooden table every morning. Mama Bear stirred three batches of creamy porridge that morning.
“Be careful,” she cautioned as she blew on a spoonful. “It’s way too hot.”
Papa Bear nodded. “Let’s go for a short walk while it cools off.”
So they left, walking along a twisting route with wildflowers and big trees on either side. They counted butterflies and listened to the birds sing. Baby Bear jumped around, chasing the petals that were blowing in the wind.
A tiny girl walked alone not far from the cottage, through the golden-green woodland light. Goldilocks was her name. She had hair that was the colour of sunshine and a mind that couldn’t be stopped. That morning, she had left the picnic her family had planned by the creek to chase a blue jay and the sound of a waterfall.
She had gone a long way, and her stomach started to churn. “I should go back,” she murmured, but the woods looked different now, and her feet hurt. Then she smelt something warm and sweet in the air, like muesli with honey.
She found the cottage by following her nose. She said out loud, “How charming!”
The door had a lovely forest green colour and was slightly open. Goldilocks stopped. She said gently, “Hello?” “Is anyone there?”
No answer.
She moved forward because she was curious. As soon as she walked in, she felt a surge of warmth. There was a crackling fire, shelves full of books and pinecones, and three bowls of hot porridge on the table.
She moved forward slowly.
“I’ll just have a little taste,” she said softly. “Just to see.”
The first bowl, which was in a big wooden dish, smelt lovely, but when she tasted it, it almost burned her tongue. “Too hot!” she squeaked.
The second dish was made of fine china and had flowers painted on it. She took a tablespoon. She frowned and replied, “Too cold.”
Then she saw the third bowl. It was little and cosy, and it was blue and yellow with stars on the rim. “Just right!” she replied, happy. She kept eating with a spoon until the bowl was empty.
Goldilocks yawned after eating a lot. Her eyes were tired now, too, and her feet were still exhausted. She walked into the living room, where three seats were waiting for her.
The first one was big and constructed of dark wood with thick cushions. She climbed, but her feet didn’t touch the ground. “Too big,” she said quietly.
The second one was softer and had floral fabric on it, but when she sat down, she sank in so deep that it was hard for her to get up. “Too soft.”
Then she saw the third one: a small rocking chair that was just the correct size for her. She sat down and sighed with happiness. “Just right.”
She rocked once. Two times. On the third rock, CRACK!
She fell to the floor when the leg of the chair broke. “Oh no!” she said, getting up and wiping herself off. She felt guilty and her cheeks turned red.
She said to the empty room, “I didn’t mean to break it.”
She tiptoed up the stairs, hoping to get a little rest. She found a cute tiny bedroom with three beds at the top.
The original one was huge and had a strong wooden frame. She climbed up, but the mattress was as hard as a board. “Too hard.”
The second one had a soft pink bedspread and a lot of pillows, but she sank into it like a marshmallow. “Not hard enough.”
The third bed was simple, with a patchwork quilt and a bear stuffed with stuffing on the pillow. Goldilocks lay down and breathed out. “Just right.”
In a matter of minutes, she was sound asleep, dreaming about muffins with blueberries, bees, and butterflies.
The Bear family came back down the road from their walk, their faces rosy from the morning air and their paws full of blackberries.
Papa Bear walked into the kitchen and grimaced. “Someone has been eating my muesli!”
Mama Bear looked in her bowl. “Someone’s been eating mine too.”
Baby Bear looked at his bowl, which was now empty. “Someone ate all of mine!” he cried.
Papa Bear looked at his chair in the living room. “Someone has been sitting in my chair.”
Mama Bear turned her head. “Mine, too…”
“Mine’s broken too!” Baby Bear yelled, pointing to the pieces that were left.
The bear family went up the stairs slowly.
Papa Bear made a low growl. “Someone’s been in my bed.”
Mama Bear said, “And someone has been sleeping in mine.”
Baby Bear walked quietly to his bed. “And someone is sleeping in mine, and she’s still here!”
Goldilocks moved.
She blinked and saw three bears staring back at her.
She jumped up. “Oh! I—I didn’t mean to… I was just worn out and… In a hurry, her words fell over each other.
She felt a wave of shame go over her when she saw the broken chair and the empty bowl. “I’m terribly sorry. I shouldn’t have come in without permission. I didn’t think anyone lived here.
Baby Bear stepped up and said softly. “You didn’t mean to break my chair?”
“No,” she responded, her eyes wide. “I thought it was the best chair I’d ever sat in.” I didn’t know I would wreck it.
Papa Bear crossed his arms, but he didn’t look mad. He looked deep in contemplation. “It’s crucial to treat other people’s things with respect. Even if you’re interested.
Goldilocks nodded. “I get it.” My mum always says the same thing. I just forgot for a bit.
Mama Bear stared at her with love. “It looks like you learnt your lesson.”
Goldilocks took a big breath. “I have.” But I still want to do the right thing.
Papa Bear grumbled, “Hmm.” “Do you know how to fix chairs?”
Goldilocks said, “No, but I can help clean up!” Or do chores! Or you could thank them by drawing a picture of your family.
The bears stared at each other.
Baby Bear’s ears perked up. “Can we have her for breakfast?”
Mama Bear laughed. “Only if she wants to stay.”
Goldilocks smiled, and her heart felt warm. “I’d love to stay, if you let me.”
They produced a new batch of porridge with honey, cinnamon, and berries from the woods. Goldilocks helped arrange the table and made sure everyone got enough to eat. The four of them all sat together and told stories and laughed.
Papa Bear showed her how to glue the legs of the chair and sand the edges later that afternoon. Goldilocks used a little, heart-shaped piece of her garment to fix the cushion. Baby Bear stated with pride, “It’s even better than before.”
Goldilocks turned to the family before she went. “Thanks for letting me go. I won’t forget it.
Mama Bear added, “And we won’t forget you.” “You’re welcome here anytime, but please remember to knock.”
Goldilocks went to the cottage in the woods a lot after that. She would sometimes bring pastries, painting supplies, or new flowers for the window boxes. Sometimes she came over to talk or sit with Baby Bear and help him with his rock collecting.
She never came in without an invitation again.
What about the Bear family? They had not only gotten a guest, but also a buddy who knew how to love, listen, and say “I’m sorry.”
Even in the middle of the woods, kindness was louder than any apologies.
The end.
