The Bear Who Wanted to Wrap Presents

Ivy lived in a snug little cabin, nestled deep in the Whispering Woods where the pine trees told secrets to the wind. Outside, the world was covered in a blanket of snow that sparkled like a million tiny diamonds. Inside, it was warm and smelled of hot chocolate and pine needles. Ivy’s favourite thing in the whole wide world was getting ready for the big Winter Celebration, and her most favourite part was wrapping presents. She loved the *crinkle-crankle* of the shiny paper and the *snip-snap* of her little scissors.

One morning, a big, fluffy bear named Barnaby woke up a little too early from his long winter nap. A yummy smell of gingerbread had tickled his nose all the way in his cosy cave. He followed the scent to Ivy’s cabin and peeked through the window. He didn't see the gingerbread, but he saw something even more amazing: rolls of paper that shimmered like rainbows and glittered like stars.

Ivy saw two big, curious eyes staring back at her and she smiled. She wasn't scared; she knew all the animals in the Whispering Woods were friendly. She opened the door and beckoned him inside. Barnaby the bear pointed a big, furry paw towards the wrapping paper. "You want to help?" Ivy asked cheerfully. She handed him a piece of bright blue paper with silver snowflakes. But when Barnaby tried to fold it, his big claws went right through it. *Rip! Tear! Oh dear!*

"Gently, Barnaby, gently," Ivy giggled. They tried again with a red paper covered in green trees. Barnaby held his breath and tried to be as careful as a butterfly landing on a flower. But his claws were just too big and too sharp. *Rip! Tear! Oh dear!* A big, sad frown appeared on Barnaby’s furry face. He let out a little sigh that ruffled all the torn paper on the floor. He thought he'd ruined the Winter Celebration fun.

Ivy looked at her new friend’s droopy ears and felt a pang in her heart. She didn’t want him to be sad. She looked at his big paws with their sharp claws, and then she looked at his big, soft, twitching nose. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Barnaby, I've got it!" she chirped. "Don't use your claws. Use your nose to hold the paper still, and the soft pads of your paws to press the tape!"

So, they tried one more time. Ivy carefully folded the paper around a little wooden car. Then, Barnaby gently nudged the edge with his big, damp nose. It held perfectly still! Ivy put a piece of sticky tape on top, and Barnaby pressed it down with the soft pad of his paw. It worked! They kept going, a perfect team. The presents were lumpy and bumpy, and some had way too much tape, but they were wrapped with laughter and friendship.

They stood back and admired their wobbly pile of presents. Ivy picked up the bumpiest one and handed it to Barnaby. It was a big jar of yummy, golden honey. The bear’s eyes crinkled into a happy smile, and he gave Ivy the gentlest, warmest bear hug she had ever felt. They had made a big, fun mess, but they had also made a wonderful friendship. And they both agreed that wrapping presents together was the best present of all.