Goldilocks and the Two Bears

“Only by pride comes contention; but wisdom resides in those who listen and learn” —Proverbs 13:10

A number of years ago, Carolyn and I spent a few days camping on the flanks of Mount Rainier in Washington State. We were returning to our campsite one evening when we came across two large male bears brawling in the middle of a meadow. They were mauling one another, snapping, snarling, tearing up the ground and making a frightful fuss. We stopped to watch.

There was a hiker standing nearby and I asked him what the fight was about. “A young female,” he said. “Where is she?” I asked. “Oh,” he chuckled, she left the area about 20 minutes ago.” So, I mused, the ongoing squabble had nothing to do with the young sow; it was all about being the biggest bear.