The way we teach our son to love nature and the outdoors is by being in the wild for more than 6 months a year and trough camping stories in which he is the main character.
Trough the camping bedtime stories, he gets familiar to the flora and fauna and how he needs to behave with it, showing respect to every animal, from the smallest insect to the largest mammal and most dangerous predator.
We teach him that he shouldn’t be afraid, but always cautious and keeping safe distance. Encounters with animals are inevitable in the wild, so it is always better to know what to expect of each of them and not do something that will put you in harm’s way.
This is one of the first camping stories I told him while traveling Lapland, Sweden.
Mark and the lying Squirrel – Camping Stories #1
It was a sunny Scandinavian morning in North Sweden. The Arctic forest was calm, the sun was drying the forest floor and the sound of trouts jumping in the nearby river was the only sound to be heard.
Mark and his dad left their caravan and started setting up the camp. They arrived the previous night and didn’t have time or energy for anything else but setting the caravan.
The Squirrel by the name Hazel, who was sleeping in the tree above the caravan was awaken by the noise the family was making. He slept so deep in the night, that he didn’t even notice them arriving.
What, what?! I must tell the bear what is going on here. – Hazel was arguing from above.
He jumped from his home (a hole in the tree trunk) and on to the branch. From there he jump on another branch and then another and another, jumping until he arrived in front of a massive wooden door that was covering the entrance of a cave.
Hazel knocked few times and the massive door opened. A giant figure emerged, it was the bear called Medve.
The bear was the forest’s president, running it with firm but just hand. Since Medve was in charge the forest was living its best days. The animals were living in peace, the camping was regulated and the forest was protected from deforesting.
Medve was listening to the residents and when there was a complaint, he was instantly going to check out the problem himself.
What is bothering you Hazel, again someone stole your nuts? -Asked the bear.
No, no, not this time, but I think the burglar will be back soon. I think it’s the racoon. – Said Hazel in whisper.
I have intruders bellow my home, they are making noise all night and all morning. They are destroying the forest and cutting trees for fire.
These are serious allegations mister squirrel. I will need to come and see with my own eyes. – Said Medve.
Let me just tell you something. In case what you just said proves to be false and you lied to me, your nose will grow when the truth is revealed.
Hazel didn’t feel comfortable with what the bear said, but decided to go on with his plan anyway, hoping the people will get scared and run away the moment they see Medve.
As the animals approached the campsite, Medve found cover behind some ferns and started observing the campers.
You see, you see. They are chopping wood, thats from our forest! There’s a proof. – Hazel tried to end his scheme faster by rushing Medve into decision.
The bear wasn’t sure what he saw, so he approached the campers cautiously, not to scare them.
But the moment Mark saw the bear, stood up in with hidden excitement and took his camera very slowly to take a picture. The father did the same and Medve was flattered, so he stoped for pose.
After the picture was taken, they exchanged a smile and the bear opened the conversation.
I wish you good day good people. It was brought to my attention that you are not respecting our forest and disturbing our community.
Dear mister bear, we are but a quiet nature lovers, that do nothing but showing utter respect towards the forest. We keep our voices low, go to bed with the sunset and leave only footprints on the way home. We even bring our own fire wood. – Said Mark
When the bear saw that the boy was honest and the campsite was according to the law of the forest, he looked at Hazel and apologised for the inconvenience caused. He said that he was mislead.
But the noise, the noise in the night was unbearable! – Hazel yelled his last lie.
That is a lie! – The old and wise owl said as he flew down from his tree.
I was up all night and the only noise I heard was the snoring made by the squirrel.
Oh, that was you mister squirrel? I thought it was my dad. – Said Mark
The father, Medve and the owl laughed, but one animal wasn’t happy. Hazel felt as his nose grew the moment his scheme fell apart and truth was out.
I told you what will happen if you lie Hazel. You will need to tell many truths before your nose is back to normal or you are forgiven by those who you intended to cause harm. – Said the bear
I forgive you mister squirrel, I hope that we can become friends and neighbours while we are here. – Said Mark as he was handing gifts to the animals.
Hazel’s nose got back to normal the moment Mark offered him a jar of peanut butter. With a smile on his face, he said thank you and accepted the gift.
We are going to be very good friends little boy. – Said Hazel and went to his tree.
The Bear received a jar of honey and the Owl a book about humans.
You are more than welcome in our forest and you can stay as long as you want, our home is yours.
Said Medve and went home, already scooping from the jar of honey.
Th owl waived at the family, flew back to his home, sat on the porch and disappeared behind his new book.
Mark and his family were happy with their first encounter with the Arctic animals, grabbed their backpacks and went deep into the forest for their first hike.