Bear Roots

## Premise

After the death of His mother, a young circus bear and His father escape the circus life to a swamp, cut off from human civilization.

## Full Story

The story starts at a Circus on a rainy night, where two bears are mourning, as two people carry a box to a wagon. As the wagon carrying the box went into the distance, the younger bear cried "Mom, Mom!" A cruel ringmaster, smacks his whip at the bars, telling them that they have paying customers waiting. The young bear said to His father, that He can't perform without His Mom. His father understands, but explains to his son, that as circus bears, they must obey the rule, "The Show must go on". Minutes later, as a show began, the ringmaster introduces to the spectators, Gus and Kissyfur, both juggling balls and riding a unicycle, then has Kissyfur perform the tightrope act. Kissyfur,still mourning over His mom, falls off the tightrope, but lands safely in Gus' paws. The ringmaster, furious the the tightrope act was incomplete, is chased by a clown car (After Gus pushed one of them into it to save his son) swings on a trapeze, slammed into a cannon, blasted out to be hit by lightning, and landing in a pool. The crowd roared to the act. After the show, however, the ringmaster said to the bears that they won't have dinner. After the ringmaster left, Kissyfur apologizes to his father for ruining his act, since His mother is gone. Gus then tells his son, that might be time to leave the circus life, as the circus people and animals enter the train heading for the next town.

Miles later, as the train went on, the conductor, notices the tracks are broken and pulled the brakes, but the train falls into the lake. After that, the car Gus and Kissyfur was in, began to fill with water, but Gus breaks out and gets Himself and Kissyfur to the surface. Gus then tells his son that this is their chance to escape, despite the Zebras and Camel trying to convince the bears, and the circus workers trying to capture them. Gus and Kissyfur survive the lake currents , and reach shore, safe from anyone coming after them. After wearing some attire (From Gus' Costume Trunk) to keep warm, Gus and Kissyfur sleep on a tree for the night, as Gus assured to his son, that everything will be fine. The next morning, Gus and Kissyfur look from a point, and see a swamp, which is going to be their new home. After seeing the natural sights, and some father-and-child bonding, the bears find a place to call home, and do some checking. As they started, a mockingbird accidentally bumps into Gus and tells them He found a trove of berries, and proceeds to tell the others, flying off.

Nearby, a black Warthog, whose name is Charles, arranges a meeting with most of the population in attendance. Howie who arrived there, informs the population that some berries are found on the other side of the swamp. Charles, not pleased tells the bird the pat they’re not birds as Shelby disdainfully agreed, since they have to face the gators, as Mr. Rabbit explained that the gators are dangerous and shows his tail which was damaged from his encounter earlier this morning. Gus and Kissyfur arrive with the former sharing an idea to resolve the issue. Building a boat. The female bear thinks it’s a good idea, as Charles condemns it as a stupid idea, as Gus and Kissyfur leave. Later, Kissyfur who is gathering vines, encounters the swamp cubs. Lennie, a warthog and Charles’ son, tells Kissyfur about log vines, as has him go inside as the other cubs laugh. Kissyfur comes out of the other side of the log, as the cubs still laugh. Nearby, two gators charge in as two chickens ring a bell, which is heard by the cubs. They make a run for it, except Kissyfur, stuck inside the log, and caught by the gators, Floyd and Jolene! Floyd pulls Kissyfur, who asks the gators not to eat his friends, inside the log. They check and see a beehive, inside of it are bees who chase the gators. One of the cubs, a rabbit named Beehonie realizes that Kissyfur isn’t here, thinking he doesn’t know about the gator alarm, decides to head back, but they hide in a bush when they see The gators being stung by the bees. Seconds later, they see Kissyfur, furious that the cubs left him for dead, walking back home. Meanwhile, as Gus was constructing his home, He spots Mr. Beaver and Mr. Rabbit with wood items, asking where they were going. Charles comes by and tells the bear they they’re constructing a bridge, which will help get them food.

The next morning, at the school tree, the cubs and Kissyfur arrive as the female bear, Emmy-Lou is teacher, who informs that Kissyfur is a new student And has him introduce himself. Kissyfur explains his former home and occupation. Emmy-Lou intrigued, asks Kissyfur to show one of his tricks, Kissyfur agreed by balancing on a log, juggling apples, and a couple of backflips. The cubs (except Lennie) applaud as Lennie declares that anyone can do it, and copies Kissyfur, but embarrasses himself after falling in a pond. Kissyfur returns home, surprised to see the interior looking like a kitchen and dining room. Gus has his son close his eyes, because there’s a surprise upstairs. Kissyfur does that as Gus brings him up. Once up, Gus then gives his okay for His son to open his eyes, intriguing Kissyfur, who is given his own bedroom. At night, as Kissyfur was asleep, he is woken up by the sound of sawing and pounding. And he sees His father constructing something. In another part of the swamp, the population is constructing the bridge with Charles supervising. Emmy-Lou feeling unsure about the bridge, decides to talk to Gus.

At morning, Gus (and Kissyfur who came along) shows His completed boat to Emmy-Lou. On their way, they see a bridge, which Kissyfur says it’s rickety, and Gus adds that’s also dangerous. Charles then opens the completed bridge as The Charles Warthog Memorial Bridge. (Even though Charles isn’t dead) the population then goes to get the berries, when the gators approach the bridge. Kissyfur spots the gators as Emmy Lou warns Charles and the others. They make a run for it as Charles assures that the bridge is gator-proof. The gators chomp a bridge support causing a part of the bridge to fall. Charles runs for it, as the gators continue to tear down the bridge supports. Gus drives his boat to the site, as the bridge is town down. With the gators ready to eat the cubs, Gus drives his boat slamming the gators. Gus then picks them up and said that if they want to stay healthy, they are not to harm his friends, change their diet, and tells them to leave. The gators ran for dear life as the population cheered. Emmy-Lou and Charles thanked Gus for what he did, and Gus invites the denizens to come to a housewarming party. As the denizens eat, Gus, knowing the swamp isn’t the same as the circus, asks His son what he thinks of his new home. Kissyfur responds that it’s great to be home.

## Characters

### Main

* Kissyfur
* Gus

### Secondary

* Ringmaster
* Emmy-Lou
* Beehonie
* Stuckey
* Duane
* Lennie
* Toot
* Charles Warthog
* Floyd and Jolene

### Minor

* Pallbearers
* Circus Spectators
* Circus Workers
* Train Conductor
* Zebras
* Camel
* Howie
* Shelby
* Cackle Sisters
* Mr. and Mrs. Pig
* Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit
* Mr. and Mrs. Beaver
* Madge Warthog
* Mr. and Mrs Packrat

## Differences in the Book

The Ringmaster was younger, and never punished Kissyfur or Gus.

* Kissyfur never felt any despair when He was performing.
* Kissyfur and His father escaped when lightning struck the boxcar and into the water.
* While looking for a home, Kissyfur and His father stayed in a cave instead of under a tree.
* Kissyfur was lured to a cabin, by the scent of oatmeal raisin cookies, but ran to escape a spotted hound.
* Kissyfur never met the cubs or anyone else in the swamp.