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The End

It is off to great celebrations and news conferences. Everyone asking how Cubby got into the game in the first place. How did he become that green shade of green? One of the promoters of the Olympics heard his story and was quite touched by it and offered Cubby a free ticket to fly him back to the wildlife refuge where he had come from.

He has his white fur back. There is no algae in the water in the wildlife refuge. To this day, if you visit his land you will see him checking the pipeline, wearing his gold medal from the Olympics, proudly and with great honor.

Time Goes By

It has been a month, since Cubby began to play soccer at the Olympics for his team. They gather for their last instructions. The team coach asks Cubby to step in and guard the goal for the team. Cubby agrees to give it his all.

The team plays well, and wins every game they play. They are in their last game for the championship, the gold medal. They gather for their last instructions. Cubby is very green, in fact, a perfect blend with the grass. As they progress with the game, it is apparent it is a good idea the team has Cubby on their team. He is an excellent goalie. His fur color is perfect, he blends in with the grass and the other team cannot see him. They keep overshooting and missing the goal. At last, the last kick is made and the call is made. His team has won the long awaited gold medal for the summer Olympics. They have played an outstanding game. Their great goalie, a green polar bear, Cubby, who did a great job of watching and protecting the goal. This might not have happened.

Game Time

It's the game before the final one, when a fast flying soccer ball makes its way toward the goalie, who give to prevent it from making the goal. He gives high and fast, in fact, he crashes into the goal bar. His head is cracked open, he is rushed to the local clinic. His doctor puts several stitches in his head. He tells him he is out of the Olympic games for the time being. He has a concussion and the stitches require him to stay off his feet and off the field. To play further will endanger his health and well-being. He is unable to fulfill his obligation to play the game for the team.

On the Job

He reports to work the next day. The next few days are spent in training. There is drill after drill, but Cubby is a fast learner and catches on quickly.

Each night Cubby makes his way to the sea to take his swim, each time he does, he becomes a deeper shade of green. He stops by the team physician to check it out. They run test on him. Otherwise, he feels fine, in fact great. The tests come back everything is good, but his fur is not receptive to the algae in the sea water. Consequently, it has made it turn green.

Finding Work

Cubby makes his way down the long narrow ancient road to the Athens Olympic Sports Complex. He asks for an application. They ask him if he has ever played soccer. He answers, "No, but I am willing to try". He is directed to the football (soccer) section of the games and given the needed papers to report to work and some meal tickets, so he can pick up some supper. He goes to their camp where he will spend the night. He takes a walk to the sea, to take a swim. So he can take the dust off that he has collected on his long journey.

Tired and Hungry

By now Cubby is tired and hungry. He is on a trip of a lifetime and is about to begin a new chapter of his life. He asks the local people where he can find work, but they do not understand him. They speak a different language. Using sign language, he gets his point across. They direct him to the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, where they are looking to hire help for the summer Olympics.

The Next Step - Your Last?

As he takes his next step, he loses his footing and falls forward and downward into a deep hole. He spirals downward into the endless dark, turning upside down and then feet first and then sidewise. After what seems like forever, Cubby pops up through a hole in the ground. He lands thousands of miles from his homeland, in a strange land. He has never seen or known of this place before. He notices a sign that reads "Entering Athens". This is indeed a strange land. The igloos are square and built high on hills overlooking blue water. There is no snow or ice anywhere. The square igloos have white round poles in front of them, but he is not sure what they are. Someone tells him they were built centuries ago and are called columns.

Beware of your surroundings

Cubby does not notice that behind him on the horizon a huge snow storm is forming. The clouds are dark and heavy, and the wind is gathering. There is a great storm in the making. This happens often at this time of the year. Quick moving, heavy snow producing storms called blizzards are common in this area. Suddenly the winds begin to pick up. The snow cascades down as the temperature drops quickly. It is cold and getting colder as the time goes on. The snow is falling fast. You can hardly see in front of you. The winds are strong. It is hard to stand up, let alone find your way along the pipeline. Cubby struggles to make his way toward his den and out of the weather. He sometimes falls and struggles to get up. He falls again and again, out of breath, but is determined to make it.

Polar Bear Wins Summer Olympics by Barbara Lindsey copyrighted 2004

It's a bright, sunny, but cold day in the Arctic land known as the wildlife refuge. Cubby, the local polar bear, is out making his rounds. He is checking the oil pipeline to make sure there are no leaks or any other serious problems. He does this a couple times a week. He often meets his friends, and they exchange the local news.