The water bubbles and giggles as it rolls over, washing over pebbles and stones until they shine like a polished cobblestone street. Fish dart and pause before regrouping, as bears paddle through the river, trying to catch them. Their fur clings to their body, soggy and heavy. If anyone saw a bear emerge from the river he would grin as the bear snorted in frustration and shook himself dry, raining the surrounding grass. When the bear stops his fur pops like a bad hairstyle, spread more finely than cactus needles.

The trees stand back and watch, laughing silently at the clumsy bear. The fish will work him hard before they give him what he wants. But eventually he’ll climb up out of the water with his prize between his teeth. When he’s picked the bass clean he may even go back in, and let his body float down river, his eyes half closed as he doses in the summer sun.