How the Panda Got Its Spots
Once there was no such thing as a panda bear. There were only polar bears around the world. Polar bears did not only live in cold climates back then. They lived almost everywhere you could imagine.
One day a polar bear cub went out of the forest. He had decided to go on an adventure. His mother had told him not to go out of the forest, but you know how little cubs are always getting into trouble.
So the little cub began to explore. While he was walking, he had remembered a long time ago, his father told him a story of how blackberries were the most delicious food ever made on the earth. The thought of eating blackberries made him very hungry. He was determined to find the berries.
He walked for a long time. The cub got extremely thirsty, so he stopped at a pond to drink. While he was drinking, he looked up and saw a bush with little black things on it. He thought to himself, "I wonder what those are?" So, with curiosity, he walked up to the bush after he finished drinking. He studied the bush for a long time.
Finally he decided to try one of the berries. After he ate it, he jumped for joy. It was the most delicious thing he had ever eaten. So, he devoured as many berries as he could.
It was starting to get dark, so the cub decided to head back home. He didn't want to get into too much trouble with his mother.
As soon as he got home, his mother was right at the door. He knew he was already in trouble. His mother asked where he had been. The bear scratched his ears – not knowing he had blackberries on his paws – and said, "I have just been wandering around the forest." The mother said, "What is on your paws?" The little cub rubbed his paws on his legs and said, "Nothing, why do you ask?" His mother just looked at him and said, "Look at your legs." The cub looked down and started crying. He rubbed his black paws on his eyes and told his mother all about his adventure and how sorry he was.
His mother forgave him but told the cub never to go without her permission again.
She told the cub that now, since he was different, he should have a new name. They decided to call him a Panda Bear. The little cub loved it at once.
The End