Sometimes, the answer to a problem came to Bea by recalling what had worked in the past. This situation reminded her of the time when there was no honey to be found. The bees just didn't seem to be making it fast enough for her needs. She knew she certainly couldn't make the honey herself, as much as she'd like to be able to. She had that same desperate feeling now; no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't make things work out right.

She couldn't get the awfully scary cat, Sam to stay away. She'd tried many things but nothing had worked. In times past, she had done her talk to the maker exercise, the maker of the bees. She figured the one who made the bees could get the bees to make more honey, so she could be sure she always had enough of her "be-good-to-myself" treat. So she knew she had to do her talk to the maker exercise.

When she did her listen to the maker exercise, she heard a peaceful reassuring buzzing in the air and knew that the maker of the bees had heard her request. She decided she'd take a risk and ask the maker of the bees about this problem. After all, the maker of the bees was also the maker of the cats. As she did her listen to the maker exercise, there was a stillness in the air, which told her to be still inside. She knew that somehow things would work themselves out, without her help.

A very pleasant peaceful week had passed, before she realized that she had not seen any sign of Sam. She knew he would not return. She did not know where he had gone, but did not question the ways of the maker of the bees, the maker of the cats, and best of all the maker of the wee bears.

Often while basking in the warm sun as cats love to do, Scruffles would tell Bea how wonderful his life with her was and how safe and happy he felt now. Listening to Scruffles talk about his sad times had started Bea remembering what it was like when she was little. Her father was away a lot gathering honey. He seemed to have to travel further and further each time.

She had to share everything with her younger brother and sister. They didn't seem to get picked on by the other little bears as much as Bea. Then again, they didn't love honey as much either. They seemed satisfied to eat fish. That just would not do for Bea; she had to have her honey.

Sometimes, Bea's little tummy was quite full of honey and it kind of showed. She thought the honey must have moved down into her legs because they looked kind of full too. The other bears must have wished they could have as much honey to eat as she did. Or maybe they were just jealous because they didn't have a mom who loved them so much. A mom who would make sure there was lots and lots of honey for them anytime they wanted it. Or a mom who did things to help them feel better when they were sad.

They were very, very mean to her. They called her fat bear. She didn't understand what these words really meant, but from the way they growled and hissed and wrinkled up their noses, she knew it must be very bad. She felt awful. But she knew that even though they were not good to her, her mom was; she gave her honey to help her feel better.

This was the beginning of her "be-good-to-myself" treat. This was good for every time Bea had a problem to figure out. Even helpful if she was having a difficult time, was sad, frustrated, angry, tired, disappointed or her fears were growing. She had honey when she was feeling happy. And each of these times she would have at least one pawful of honey. And usually, this required more than just one lonely pawful. But it truly was a great answer to any problem.