Barry Bear had never seen everyone so busy. All of the animals in Big Forest were chattering with excitement. Fall would end soon and winter was coming! Winter was a very busy time for the forest animals because lots of preparations must be made before the cold winter began. 

All of their homes had to be protected from the cold winter winds. Food had to be gathered and stored before the heavy snows arrived and covered the ground. Oliver Owl had already warned all his neighbors that this would be the coldest and snowiest winter in many years. And there was no wiser forest creature than Ollie, and no 

one would ever think of disagreeing with him.

Sydney Squirrel chattered a nutty little song as he quickly gathered food for his family. Bernie Beaver was also busy gnawing away at a tall tree near Crooked Creek. Bernie's family had grown during the summer and he needed more room in his beaver dam this winter. 

But, winter always made Barry sad, because while all of his friends would be enjoying winter and all the snow, he would be sleeping it away . It was something his dad called hibernating. And Barry just didn't understand why he couldn't enjoy having fun with his friends instead of wasting his time sleeping. Wait! Why not? Maybe he could talk to his father about it.

Later that day Barry spoke to his father. "Barry, don't be so foolish, his father said! Brown bears always hibernate, it's their nature. Only polar bears stay up for winter. So, forget that silly notion and eat plenty food for the winter." 

But, Barry didn't eat so much. He just would not sleep through this winter. Instead, he would wait until his parents were fast asleep and then he would sneak out and spend this winter playing with his friends. And before spring came again, he'd slip back into the den before his parents woke from their winter snooze. It was a perfect plan. 

And so Barry waited anxiously for winter to begin. And when that day finally came the whole bear family crawled into their nice warm den to sleep away the winter. 

Now, Barry wasted no time pretending to be asleep. "My, my", his mother said. "Barry must be really tired today. Look Poppa, he has already fallen asleep." Now, Barry felt terribly guilty for fooling and disobeying his parents, but he just had to see winter for himself.

It wasn't long until the entire bear family was fast asleep. As quite as a church mouse, Barry quickly slipped from his bed and out into the cold night, leaving his family snoozing and snoring. Barry couldn't wait to play in the snow with his good friends. It was going to be a fun first winter for Barry!