A Strange Evening Nobody knew where they were.

Sandra, Robert and Chris had

been seen entering the old stable where their grand-parents used to shelter the horses,
while little Hellen had already been discovered by Matt behind a large trunk during the
first round of hide-and-seek. Matt was looking for the other children in the orchard,
behind the bushes, being attentive to any movement and every rustle. The gentle wind
was bringing the fresh scent of the fir-trees from the forest above the village as the
evening was embracing the hills and peasants' houses in bluish curtains. "Ah, here you
are, guys!" exclaimed the boy noticing a rather violent movement in a bush. Suddenly,
Matt's heart started to beat like crazy …
A huge brown bear in their orchard! He rushed to the old stable, grabbing Hellen
on his way, and locked the heavy gate. The bear hadn't followed them, but they were
too frightened to see that. They climbed the ladder to the attic and Matt felt sorry that
he didn't have the mobile with him. He thought he would never wish to be alone at
home. A loud noise from behind the timber sawn made them flinch: Sandra and the two
other cousins appeared from the stable darkness overwhelmed by fear. They were all
together now and quite safe in the attic, where the bear couldn't get them. Mom and
dad were on their way home from farm work. The evening silence was bathing the
village and the worried whispers of the children.