The Queen Bears and the Covenant
by Rev. Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe, October 2009
May be used in worship with attribution. Not to be shared in print without permission. Please contact Sunshine J. Wolfe at swolfe@uuma.org. Thank you.
Once there were two queen bears who ruled a forest. They loved one another and they loved their forest. Queen Isabella would wander through the rivers and trees share advice with all of the plants, insects, and animals. She loved to teach and learn. Queen Valessia loved to sing and dance with all of the beings in the forest. When a creature broke the laws of the land, the Queens would intervene and rule whether to allow the creature to stay in the land or to banish them to another country. They led as all of the bears before them had led. They created the laws and they punished the lawbreakers.
However, Queens Isabella and Valessia found that as they ruled they grew uncomfortable deciding the fates of all who broke the laws of the land. They loved the creatures in their country and began to think that their power did not allow the creatures to be full beings of the earth. After a time, they decided that they would trust the creatures of their country to decide for themselves. It would be hard on everyone in the beginning, but the creatures of the forest would learn to lead themselves.
So, Queens Isabella and Valessia called the country together for a final trial. They proclaimed themselves guilty of selfishness and abuse of power and banished themselves from the forest. The creatures of the land were shocked. The queens warned their people not to elect one leader to rule, but to find another way. They told the creatures of the country that things would be difficult for awhile, but the creatures were smart and wise and they would create a new path together. Then the bears left the forest.
The creatures of the land were all shocked as they saw their beloved queens disappear. The creatures were confused. The willows wept, the bees stopped buzzing, the cats cried, the spiders stopped weaving, and all of the creatures were left mourning the loss of their queens and trying to make sense of what happened. Eventually they went back to their daily lives.
One day there was a great conflict in the forest. You see, the beavers needed a new tree for their damn. Marcus Beaver cut down Elter the Evergreen Tree which was the home of Aurelia Squirrel, Bucky Beatle, and Calpernia Cardinal. Elter, Aurelia, Bucky, and Calpernia were so angry they rallied a mob of creatures together and destroyed the Beaver Family’s damn which was also their home. Everyone was angry and no one knew how to speak to one another for there were no queens to mediate this argument.
The creatures after much fighting and destruction decided it was time to have a meeting. At first, things were calm. Gizelle Gazelle bemoaned about how these kinds of things never happened when the queens ruled and wanted a ruler again. Tipper Tortoise reminded everyone that the queens said that selfishness and abuse of power were why the queens left and was this not what the big fight happening now was all about? Scanlon Celery complained that the Rabbits were eating more celery than they needed. Berta Bass complained that the breaking of the damn washed many of her family out to sea and they were still struggling to find their way back home. After awhile, people began to complain and complain and complain all at the same time so that no one could hear one another.
Finally, Sandy Spider convinced Leroy Lion to roar and roar until everyone stopped talking. Everyone listened as Sandy said: “Our queens warned us that things would be hard without them. They encouraged us to find a way to be together without a leader. I think that we should work together to create a covenant so that we can live together. For example, we might agree that we will no longer assume that we can do whatever we want, but rather ask for permission when we need to. In the future, the Beavers will ask permission from the trees and their residents before using a tree in a damn. Perhaps the trees will know exactly which one should be used to best serve the needs of all. We can elect a council to help create this covenant and we can each offer our input so that we are all represented.”
Miguel Mouse said, “I suggest that we have a team of creatures who will help in times of conflict and decide how to respond to those who do not follow our covenant- for how can we all survive together unless we agree to treat one another well.”
The creatures were silent. As silent as they had been when the queens left. Sandy Spider and Miguel Mouse’s ideas made a lot of sense. That night, everyone agreed to the plan and they began to create a covenant that they could all live by.
They did not live happily ever after, but they did live well as community of creatures together. Marcus Beaver apologized to Elter the Evergreen, Aurelia Squirrel, Bucky Beatle, and Calpernia Cardinal and they apologized to him. They helped rebuild the damn along with many of the creatures in that region. Marcus helped them find a new home. The Rabbits agreed to only eat the celery they needed and to help plant new celery seeds each year. Berta Bass’ family never returned. So hurt by all that happened, they moved to a new river. Creatures from other places heard of the new covenant and moved into the forest.
The covenant had some basic rules, but the most important was so inspiring that the plants and stones created a garden in honor of it that read: “Treat others as they would have you treat them.”
After many years, the bears returned to the country asking to be called simply Isabella and Valessia. Isabella taught in the school and Valessia opened a dance studio. The creatures went to the plant and rock garden every year to celebrate the creation of their covenant. They sang and danced to the words, “treat others as they would have you treat them” and everyone lived complicated and beautiful and beloved lives to the end of their days.
However, Queens Isabella and Valessia found that as they ruled they grew uncomfortable deciding the fates of all who broke the laws of the land. They loved the creatures in their country and began to think that their power did not allow the creatures to be full beings of the earth. After a time, they decided that they would trust the creatures of their country to decide for themselves. It would be hard on everyone in the beginning, but the creatures of the forest would learn to lead themselves.
So, Queens Isabella and Valessia called the country together for a final trial. They proclaimed themselves guilty of selfishness and abuse of power and banished themselves from the forest. The creatures of the land were shocked. The queens warned their people not to elect one leader to rule, but to find another way. They told the creatures of the country that things would be difficult for awhile, but the creatures were smart and wise and they would create a new path together. Then the bears left the forest.
The creatures of the land were all shocked as they saw their beloved queens disappear. The creatures were confused. The willows wept, the bees stopped buzzing, the cats cried, the spiders stopped weaving, and all of the creatures were left mourning the loss of their queens and trying to make sense of what happened. Eventually they went back to their daily lives.
One day there was a great conflict in the forest. You see, the beavers needed a new tree for their damn. Marcus Beaver cut down Elter the Evergreen Tree which was the home of Aurelia Squirrel, Bucky Beatle, and Calpernia Cardinal. Elter, Aurelia, Bucky, and Calpernia were so angry they rallied a mob of creatures together and destroyed the Beaver Family’s damn which was also their home. Everyone was angry and no one knew how to speak to one another for there were no queens to mediate this argument.
The creatures after much fighting and destruction decided it was time to have a meeting. At first, things were calm. Gizelle Gazelle bemoaned about how these kinds of things never happened when the queens ruled and wanted a ruler again. Tipper Tortoise reminded everyone that the queens said that selfishness and abuse of power were why the queens left and was this not what the big fight happening now was all about? Scanlon Celery complained that the Rabbits were eating more celery than they needed. Berta Bass complained that the breaking of the damn washed many of her family out to sea and they were still struggling to find their way back home. After awhile, people began to complain and complain and complain all at the same time so that no one could hear one another.
Finally, Sandy Spider convinced Leroy Lion to roar and roar until everyone stopped talking. Everyone listened as Sandy said: “Our queens warned us that things would be hard without them. They encouraged us to find a way to be together without a leader. I think that we should work together to create a covenant so that we can live together. For example, we might agree that we will no longer assume that we can do whatever we want, but rather ask for permission when we need to. In the future, the Beavers will ask permission from the trees and their residents before using a tree in a damn. Perhaps the trees will know exactly which one should be used to best serve the needs of all. We can elect a council to help create this covenant and we can each offer our input so that we are all represented.”
Miguel Mouse said, “I suggest that we have a team of creatures who will help in times of conflict and decide how to respond to those who do not follow our covenant- for how can we all survive together unless we agree to treat one another well.”
The creatures were silent. As silent as they had been when the queens left. Sandy Spider and Miguel Mouse’s ideas made a lot of sense. That night, everyone agreed to the plan and they began to create a covenant that they could all live by.
They did not live happily ever after, but they did live well as community of creatures together. Marcus Beaver apologized to Elter the Evergreen, Aurelia Squirrel, Bucky Beatle, and Calpernia Cardinal and they apologized to him. They helped rebuild the damn along with many of the creatures in that region. Marcus helped them find a new home. The Rabbits agreed to only eat the celery they needed and to help plant new celery seeds each year. Berta Bass’ family never returned. So hurt by all that happened, they moved to a new river. Creatures from other places heard of the new covenant and moved into the forest.
The covenant had some basic rules, but the most important was so inspiring that the plants and stones created a garden in honor of it that read: “Treat others as they would have you treat them.”
After many years, the bears returned to the country asking to be called simply Isabella and Valessia. Isabella taught in the school and Valessia opened a dance studio. The creatures went to the plant and rock garden every year to celebrate the creation of their covenant. They sang and danced to the words, “treat others as they would have you treat them” and everyone lived complicated and beautiful and beloved lives to the end of their days.