Caring Caroline Caddiddlehopper, DVM

In the little village of Caramba, Colorado, Caroline Caddiddlehopper lived in a small cottage located in a peaceful valley high up in the mountains. When she was small, her parents began to notice that nothing seemed to bother their daughter, even when she was injured while playing. Instead, she simply shrugged her shoulders and continued doing whatever she was doing. In the tiny one-room school she attended, the teacher was confused when she did poorly on tests but was not upset or happy when she did well. Classmates nicknamed her “Careless Caroline,” as did the teacher.

Caroline did not care. Other people’s attitudes about her affected her not the least. She attended school each day, studied, and went home to enjoy her favorite pastime: walking in the woods. One day, while exploring alongside a stream, she heard a loud roar and looked around to see a huge grizzly bear standing on his hind legs. She was paralyzed in fright, especially when the bear began walking toward her, but with a painful limp. Setting aside all fear, she lifted his paw and removed a thorn from between his claws.

Immediately, the big, furry beast sighed in relief and hugged the little girl. She hugged him back and led him to a place where she knew lots of big, sweet berries grew, and the two enjoyed a feast together. While walking home, he followed behind, and when she entered the house, the bear followed, terrifying her parents. They were astounded when the bear grabbed hold of their daughter and even more amazed when he held her gently and smiled while licking her face. “Mom and Dad, meet my friend, Gregory The Grinning Grizzly,” she said.

At night, Gregory slept on the front porch, keeping watch. Cold did not trouble him; in fact, with so much fur, he enjoyed it. Each day, the bear followed his beloved friend to school, but because she knew he would frighten the teacher and her classmates, she made him hide in bushes nearby. One day, he became lonely for his friend and walked into the schoolroom. Dropping her book, the teacher screamed. The children were too shocked to move and even more shocked when Gregory picked up Caroline, hugged her, and then went back outside.

In time, the teacher allowed Caroline’s big friend to sit in the classroom and did not mind if he snoozed instead of listening to the lessons. In the summertime, when school was out, Caroline and Gregory roamed the forests, and because other animals noticed that the two were such great friends, they, too, became her friends. She noticed that she had a way with animals. They cared for her, and Careless Caroline became what she had never been: caring.

After the last year of school, the teacher advised Caroline to become a veterinarian. The young girl accepted the advice and became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. On the front door of her clinic, a sign read: Caring Caroline Caddiddlehopper, DVM.

NOTE: Jimmy Reed is a retired college professor and author of several books. This story is from his latest, a children’s book entitled FROM A TO Z, TO YOU FROM ME. Each story in the book maximizes the use of an alphabetical letter, enhanced by alliteration and assonance. The book is available on Amazon, or can be purchased directly from the author. His email address is jimmycecilreedjr@gmail.com.

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