“Stay out of the mines,”

My mother had always warned,

Words that rang hollow

In my ears as I

Cursed my luck and my

Shattered leg. I had

Wanted to prove myself; now

I would die alone

In the dark. With a throat raw

From screaming, I spit

Out the forbidden

Name, “Bearshak.” Water

Dripped into my mouth from some

Unknown source, and I

Stood , and I could see

A fountain lit from

Below. I lapped at the cool

Water, felt my fresh

Grown fur dampen and my snout

Wet. I stood on legs

Strong and hairy. A

Staircase opened before me.

I ascended, the bear

God returned from eons past;

Let humankind weep.