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It was a day so warm that the air shimmered above the picnic tables at Oak Creek Campground. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the ancient oak tree, but it wasn’t enough to stir Bartholomew from his afternoon slumber.

Bartholomew wasn’t your typical black bear. While his brethren were busy foraging for berries and salmon, Bartholomew had a different kind of ambition. He was a connoisseur of comfort, a seeker of the perfect siesta spot. He had tried them all: the soft mossy banks by the creek, the sun-dappled patches beneath the pine trees, and even a discarded hammock that was surprisingly lumpy.

But today, Bartholomew had found his masterpiece. A human-made wooden structure—what they called a “picnic table”—perfectly sized for his broad, sleepy frame. He had observed the humans using it for what they called “lunch,” but to Bartholomew, it was a perfectly crafted piece of napping furniture. The solid wood was cool against his belly, and the slight rise of the bench created a natural pillow for his massive head.

He lay there, half-asleep, one paw dangling lazily over the side. A faint, distant scent of leftover hot dog buns tickled his nose, but he couldn’t be bothered to move. The sun felt so good, the wood so sturdy, and the world seemed to slow down to his pace. A chipmunk scampered by, chattering excitedly, but Bartholomew just offered a half-lidded, weary glance. What was the rush?

A human family arrived, carrying a basket full of goodies. The children shrieked in delight upon seeing him, but the father, a wise-looking man with a gentle smile, simply held up a hand. “Let him be,” he said softly. “He’s just enjoying his afternoon.”

And so Bartholomew, the bear who had no interest in honey or hiking, found his truest calling: being the most relaxed resident of Oak Creek. He was the king of comfort, the master of the midday rest, and he was quite certain that no berry patch in the world could ever compare to the perfect stillness of a sun-warmed picnic table. He let out a contented sigh, his paws twitching slightly in a dream of cool breezes and undisturbed naps.