The Bear and the Wildcat by Kazumi Yumoto illustrated by Komako Sakai translated by Cathy Hirano

You might like to begin with my post about Komako Sakai.

Grief is a complex emotion. It is complex for the person left behind and it is complex for friends and acquaintances who do not know what to say or do. When little bird dies suddenly, Bear feels so alone in his grief.

"Bear cut a tree from the forest and made a little box. He stained it with berry juice and lined it with petals. Then he gently laid his friend inside."

There are so many tender emotions in this three short sentences. He made a little box. He lined it with petals. And he gently laid his friend. 

"Yesterday I had no idea that today you would be dead! ... If only I could go back to yesterday morning, I wouldn't need anything else in the world."

When Bear shows the little box to his friends they try to be pragmatic explaining little bird cannot come back but Bear is too consumed by grief. He goes home and locks his door and retreats to his bed. After some time has passed Bear opens his window and sees the sunshine outside. He sets off on a walk and meets a wildcat with a violin. The wildcat says just the right words:

"This little bird bust have been a very special friend of yours, ... You must miss him a lot."

Now is the time for healing. Bear allows himself to remember his friend and all the precious times they shared. 

Together they bury the little box and then decorate the spot with flowers. Bear WILL always remember his friend but now life CAN go on. And so he sets off with his new friend with a promise of adventures and happier times. 

Gecko Press published the English translation of this book in 2011 and in 2022 it was republished. 

This post is in memory of Joan Henderson who sadly reached the end her long life journey earlier this week. Sending gentle healing thoughts to her special daughter Pam. 

Here is a very new Australian book which covers similar feelings and themes. I will talk in more detail about this book later in the year:

You might also look at some previous posts which talk about grief and the death of a loved one.

The Last Goodbye

The River

Ida Always