Ralop and Osborne

By Phyllis Clifford and Ian Ward

Ralop had known Osborne since he was a pup and guided him through the tough harsh environment, and Osborne looked up to, and admired the knowledgeable Polar bear. However, Ralop never lost his sense of fun, and would tease whenever he could. This migration south was to be different; new friends, unexpected dangers and even romance in the ai

• Language: English
• Publisher: Restawhile Publishing
• Release date: Nov 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781916030336

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

ALWAYS HUNGRY

Ahh, what a lovely day…blue skies, a clear view for miles, and only 40 degrees below zero – just perfect, smiled Ralop as he drew circles in the snow ready for the next game.

Ralop! bellowed Osborne.

Quickly, come over here, I’ve found a breathing hole in the ice, exclaimed Osborne as he stared intently into the deep, dark blue waters below.

Ralop reluctantly stopped what he was doing, even though it was important in his eyes, and made his way over to Osborne. Ralop was in no hurry as usual.

Osboooorrrrnnnneee, Ralop mumbled in a reminiscing way, wasn’t that funny when…

Shhhhh Ralop…it’s time to concentrate, Osborne said firmly without moving his fixed gaze off the shimmering icy waters in front of him.

Sit and watch for bubbles rising, commanded Osborne in a deliberately quiet but authoritative voice before adding, so we are both ready to catch our next meal.

The freezing waters were sloshing and bobbing up and down in the perfectly circular breathing hole in the pack ice. This was a good sign that seals must have frequented this place recently as holes always froze over within minutes if inactive.

After what seemed hours, their patience proved successful.

It was a controlled, swift kill which was shared and devoured quickly by both bears. They were both so hungry that nothing was left this time, except the smell of the kill in the air and their footprints in the bloodstained snow. Ralop and Osborne lay on their backs with rounded full bellies pointing skyward with just groans of joy now coming from the pair instead of rumbling guts. Both had big grins on their full faces.

Osborne was looking up to the sky and checking out the sun’s angle, and noted that the days were getting longer and the weather warmer.

Ralop was doing the same and knew they would have to migrate soon, but before that…

Ralop just couldn’t resist. While both lying there, content and becoming sleepy, Ralop pushed the powdered snow with his back legs to form a wall between him and Osborne. Then closing his eyes, screwing up his nose and with a huge intake of breath… Ralop let rip!

It was the most foul, fishy, gas ball of wind and the snow mound went flying.

Ralop, blurted Osborne, did you have to let off wind? he said coughing and spluttering in the smelly fumes.

Yes! was Ralop’s giggly reply.

You startle me every time with your blow-offs and swirls of vile gassy air, Osborne stated, wiping snow from his eyes and mouth and also trying to prevent any more of the putrid smell from entering his nose.

One day you’ll thank me, Ralop laughed as he rolled over like a barrel.

Osborne turned over in one swift move and jumped on top of Ralop. They wrestled in play, posturing and stalking, then both slowed down and started to laugh as they were so full and happy. Osborne forgave Ralop, but was not really convinced he would ever thank his best friend for his foul habits.

Ralop and Osborne had been hunting together for over a year now. Ralop had just caught a large seal at a breathing hole and was consuming his catch when a small, scrawny bear approached, and that was Osborne.