With the first signs of approaching winter, the Bear's thoughts naturally turn to a cozy cave and a long nap till spring. Imagine his surprise when he awakes months later and finds himself in the middle of a sprawling industrial complex! And what's even worse, everyone he meets keeps insisting that he's not really a bear but just a silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat.Frank Tashlin's wryly humorous tale--long an underground favorite with readers of all ages and opinions--pokes fun at a high-tech society in which the Bear makes repeated attempts to find out just where he belongs. On an assembly line? In a zoo? At the circus? No one seems to know for sure.The author's 46 delightfully original and whimsical illustrations add to the charm of this unique and entertaining fable that delights youngsters yet also offers food for thought for adults.

Once upon a time, in fact it was on a Tuesday, the Bear stood at the edge of a great forest and gazed up at the sky. Away up high, he saw a flock of geese flying south.