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"Little Bear and the Ice Boat" is the first story in the eighth episode of the fourth season of Little Bear. It was written by Michael Thoma. In Canada, it premiered in 1998 on CBC Television. In the United States, it premiered on 21 January 1999 on Nickelodeon.
Summary[]
Grandfather Bear and Little Bear are fishing with short sticks and strings on a frozen, greenish lake. Grandfather Bear remarks how the fish aren't biting, and Little Bear responds that that the fish must not know that today is Grandfather's birthday. Grandfather Bear and Little Bear get up to leave. They put their fishing rods in a bag as Grandfather Bear comments that it is still a good day to be outside. As they walk along, Little Bear runs and slides on the ice ahead of his grandfather. He says that he hasn't made a present yet, but Grandfather doesn't mind, claiming that he has everything he wants. Little Bear persists. Grandfather tells Little Bear that when he was a bear cub, all he wanted was to sail on his birthday, but he never could, because the lake is frozen over every year. This gives Little Bear an idea.
Little Bear suggests that they could make a boat that would sail on the ice. Grandfather says he has seen a boat like that once and thinks it is a good plan, and so they go to the cellar of Grandmother's house to build an ice boat. Little Bear comments on all the stuff in the room. Grandfather explains that he loves to tinker and has collected many things over the years. Little Bear and his grandfather set about making a list of what they will need for the ice boat. Little Bear says that they will need a boat and suggests they use the canoe. Little Bear asks what else they will need for the ice boat and starts climbing up on the boxes. Grandfather Bear says that they will need a mast, a boom, and a sail, and Little Bear tosses down things he thinks might work to fill those roles. Grandfather Bear notices how high Little Bear has climbed and tells him to be careful. Seconds later, Little Bear falls to the ground, toppling several boxes in the process. In one of these boxes Little Bear and Grandfather Bear discover Mother Bear's old ice skates. They decide to use the skates for the ice boat's runners.
Little Bear then discovers a lantern with a blue fish-shaped base. He asks Grandfather Bear if they could use it, but Grandfather doesn't think they will need it. Little Bear finds some fabric that they plan to use for the sail, and Grandfather finds an old paddle for the mast. Just then, Grandmother Bear comes down. Little Bear tells her that they are tinkering. Grandfather explains that they are making an ice boat, and Little Bear adds that it is for his grandfather's birthday. Grandmother says that it is a wonderful idea and reminds them that she is making a cake for later. Little Bear and Grandfather Bear are both excited for the cake. They set about building.
Little Bear says that his mother will be very surprise to see her old skates on the ice boat. Grandfather Bear agrees. Little Bear sees a can of red paint and asks if he can paint something on the sail. Grandfather Bear says yes, and Little Bear asks how to write HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Grandfather spells it out, and Little Bear writes it down on the sail, one letter at a time. Eventually, Grandfather Bear and Little Bear finish the ice boat and take it out of the cellar, first the boat itself, than the mast with the sail wrapped around it. But before they head off for the lake, Little Bear tells his grandfather that there is still one thing they need. He runs back into the cellar and returns with the fish lantern from earlier. Grandfather Bear chuckles, and Little Bear explains that it is for good luck. Grandfather says that the lantern can be their mascot, and they walk off towards the lake.
As they walk, Little Bear asks Grandfather Bear if ice boats are fast. Grandfather Bear explains that it all depends on the wind. Little Bear hopes for lots of wind. Grandfather does too, but he points out that it is quite calm. They arrive at the lake, and Little Bear comments on its beauty. Grandfather Bear agrees, saying that all they need now is the wind. Grandfather Bear uses his finger to test for wind, but there is none. Little Bear rubs the lucky mascot and asks it to bring some wind. The pine trees begin to sway as a strong wind rises, blowing a robin off its course. Grandfather Bear and Little Bear get into the ice boat, and Grandfather tells Little Bear to hoist the sail. The sail unfurls, and Little Bear reads the words he wrote on the sail. Grandfather Bear thanks him and turns the sail into the wind, and they cast off!
Little Bear and Grandfather Bear zoom across the ice, and as they accelerate, Grandfather tells Little Bear to duck his head before they come about. Little Bear ducks his head, and Grandfather turns the sail. Little Bear sees Grandmother Bear, Father Bear, and Mother Bear coming to the lake, and tells Grandfather Bear to look. Mother Bear spots the ice boat, and Grandmother Bear says that it is beautiful. Father Bear exclaims about how fast the ice boat is going. Grandmother waves her hand, and Little Bear and his grandfather reply, greeting Grandmother Bear, Father Bear, and Mother Bear with a loud ahoy. Grandfather Bear says to Little Bear that they will show Grandmother Bear, Mother Bear, and Father Bear what this ice boat can do. Grandfather Bear makes a shark curve, and Little Bear is very excited!
Grandfather Bear, Mother Bear, Father Bear, and Little Bear are sitting around the dining room table in Grandmother's house. Grandmother comes in from the kitchen, carrying a chocolate cake with pink frosting, red and white piping, and six white candles. Everybody wishes Grandfather a happy birthday, and he thanks them. Just as Grandfather leans in to blow out the candles, Little Bear stops him, asking why Grandfather Bear isn't making a wish. Grandfather answers, explaining that his wish already came true this day: he went sailing on his birthday. Grandfather Bear picks Little Bear up and puts him on one knee, and he says that this was the best birthday he had ever had. Little Bear and his grandfather blow out the candles together.
Background information[]
This is one of five episodes in Little Bear to depict a birthday, the other four being "Birthday Soup", "A Present for Mother Bear", "Emily's Balloon", and "Emily's Birthday". The episode "I'll Be You You'll Be Me" also depicts a birthday, although not a real one. "Birthday Soup" is based on the chapter of the same name from the book "Little Bear", which depicts that birthday in the literary universe. In Maurice Sendak's Little Bear: The Little Bear Movie, after being told by Little Bear to bring Cat and Hen to Owl's house to organize a search party for Cub's parents, Duck forgets what kind of party it was and assumes that it is a birthday party and that it is Owl's birthday.
This is one of the many Little Bear episodes in which Little Bear speaks his catchphrase, "Interesting," this time in reference to the fish lamp when he discovers it.
This is one of thirteen episodes in Little Bear to depict cake, the other twelve being "Birthday Soup", "A Present for Mother Bear", "Grandfather Bear", "Party at Owl's House", "Your Friend, Little Bear", "Little Bear the Magician", "Emily's Balloon", "The Blueberry Picnic", "Little Bear's Sweet Tooth", "Emily's Birthday", "Thinking of Mother Bear", and "Duck Takes the Cake".
Appearances and references[]
- Characters
- Locations
- lake
- Grandmother's house