ot;Thatsgood,tohavefriends."

    "Itisgood,"Junpeisaid."Yhtaboutthat."

    JueoriesforSalabeforeshewenttobed.Andwhenevershedidntuandsomethingshewouldaskhimtoexplain.Junpeigavealotofthoughttohisanswers.Salasquestionswereoftensharpandiing,andwhilehewasthinkingaboutthemhecouldalsoeupwithwiststothestoryhewastelling.

    Sayhtaglassofwarmmilk.

    "JuellihestoryofMasakichithebear,"Salasaid."Hestheall-timeNo.1honeybear,buthedoesnthaveanyfriends."

    "Oh,really?Isheabigbear?"Sayokoasked.

    SalaturoJuhanuneasystare."IsMasakichibig?"

    "Notsobig,"Junpeisaid."Infact,heskindofonthesmallside.Forabear.Hesjustaboutyoursize,Sala.Andhesaverysweet-temperedlittleguy.Wheenstomusic,hedoesntlistentorockorpunkorthatkindofstuff.HelikestolistentoSchubert,allbyhimself."

    "Helistenstomusic?"Salaasked."DoeshehaveaCDplayerorsomething?"

    "Hefoundaboomboxlyingonthegroundoneday.Hepickeditupandbroughtithome."

    "Howeallthisstuffjusthappenstobelyingaroundinthemountains?"Salaaskedwithanoteofsuspi.

    "Well,itsavery,verysteepmountain,andthehikersgetallfaintanddizzy,ahrowawaytonsofstufftheydontneed.Righttherebytheroad,like,Oh,man,thispackissoheavy,IfeellikeImgonnadie!Idohispailanymore.Idohisboomboxanymore."

    "Iknowjusthowtheyfeel,"Sayokosaid."Sometimesyouwanttothroweverythingaway."

    "Notme,"