WOMEN, WOODS, AND BEARS

Shannon News, 12 July 1927, Page 1

WOMEN, WOODS, AND BEARS

Although it was May, the big sturdy woman who stood before us was muffled up in innumerable shawls. Out of their folds the honest, kindly face a Polish peasant woman looked at us. Behind her rose the roughly built timber hut, and, far away in the distance, mysterious woods darkened tire horizon. She led us into the hut, but hardly had we crossed the threshold before we drew back. Right opposite, facing the tiny door, stood an enormous bear, with his huge,’ hairy arms extended towards us!

We heard the woman's laugh behind!

“That is all right. A big one thts Michal (a Polish name for all bears) —is he not? My dear husband had him trapped some years ago. ttow do come in.”

Our feet were buried in the soft*' rich bear , rugs, as we sat down at a little table and looked at this astounding peasant woman. Who was she? The rough, un-

plastered walls were covered with what seemed to be silent trophies of her prowess; bear’s heads, skins, huge paws. Long, narrow-bladed spears gleamed dully in one corner. And at. our feet yards and yards of thick rope were neatly coiled together. She set before us a “small’’ collation: slices of dark bear ham on a bright yellow platter, some fragrant honey, snow -white "kalachl" (kind-of rolls), and pure clear water in a beautiful green jug. We enjoyed it all, especially the

bear ham, with its slightly sharp taste. But we had not come here t? eat! We pushed away our platters and begged this woman of the woods to tell us how she came to“ do all this.” ' She looked honestly puzzled. There was nothing in it! Her late husband begun it and she just carried on. Dangerous? Well, it depended upon how one approached the bear. If ho were enjoying his dessert of honey and raspberries, better leave him alone. If he had a baby bear with him, the chances were equally uncertain. But if he were hurt he would be like a little child himself- in his helplessness. "He’d never touch you once he knew you were trying to help sh e said simply. “But when do you go for him?”