In which I've told this cute story for years but never written it down

Chipmunk and Grandfather Bear (Siberia)

In the middle of winter, Grandfather woke up.  He was so hungry! 

He left his warm den to find food.  “I will go to the creek to find fish,” he said. 

But when he got to the river, there were no fish!  It was not the right time for fish in the river. 

So Grandfather Bear said, “I will go to the hill to find berries.” 

But when he got to the hill, there were no berries!  It was not the right time for berries on the hill. 

So Grandfather Bear said, “I will find a stump and pull it apart with my big strong paws to find bugs and grubs and creepy-crawlies.” 

Grandfather found a stump and started to pull it apart.  But this stump was the home of little Chipmunk!   

Chipmunk came out of her stump and said, “Grandfather Bear, why are you pulling apart my home?”

“Oh Chipmunk,” said Grandfather Bear.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t know that you live here. I was pulling apart a stump to find bugs and grubs and creepy-crawlies because I am so hungry!” 

“Well, Grandfather Bear, I have some berries and nuts stored for the winter.  Would you like some of those?”

“Oh Chipmunk,” said Grandfather Bear, “I would like that very much.”

So little Chipmunk went down into her stump and brought up a Chipmunk-sized handful of nuts and berries for Grandfather Bear. 

But after he ate that, Grandfather Bear was still hungry.

So little Chipmunk went back into her stump and brought another little handful of nuts and berries. 

But after he ate that, Grandfather Bear was still hungry. 

Little Chipmunk went into her stump and brought nuts and berries many times.   

Finally, Grandfather Bear was not hungry anymore.

“Chipmunk,” said Grandfather Bear, “you were kind and generous to me.  I would like to give you a gift.” 

Grandfather Bear turned Chipmunk around and very gently dragged his big claws down her back and tail to make beautiful stripes in her fur.

“Now everyone will know, when they see the stripes, that you are kind and generous, because you shared your food with Grandfather Bear.” 

Chipmunks to this day wear those stripes.  And now you know the reason why.