Shorter than the Grizzlies, yet taller than the Black Bears, it lovingly gazed at the Spectacled Bears at one end of the exhibits, their neighbors the Giant Pandas, the Honey Bears next to them, and then the Grizzlies.

 

Then its eyes met those of the Polar Bears, the Asian Black Bears, the Sloth Bears, and finally the American Black Bears at the other end of the exhibits.

Its eyes seemed to see something beyond the various sizes, colors, and shapes of the bears something much deeper and common to all the bears.

 

It seemed to see the Life Force, the Spirit, of each bear.

 

Then, looking directly at the Grizzlies, the new bear introduced itself.

 

“In answer to your first question, ‘What in the world are you?’, I’m a bear just like you.

 

They call me Chi (Cheee) Bear.”