away in bed for the winter and so could not come to
Little Bear's surprise party.

Little Bear was so delighted when he learned he was
to have a surprise party that he wasn't disappointed
when the laughing Blue Jay came with a message from
the Field Mouse mother saying that the Field Mice
children just couldn't keep their eyes open, they were
so sleepy, and so of course they could not come to the
party.

"I'll sit by the window and see who does come,"
said Little Bear, happy as he could be thinking of the
party.

Now it happened that no one else had been invited
to the party, so Mother Bear took Little Bear to the
cupboard to show him the blackberry sandwiches and
honey cakes, while Father Bear stepped out to ask the
Blue Jay to please fly quickly away and invite the wildcat
children and the young squirrels and chipmunks and
foxes to come immediately to the party.

[Illustration: They found Little Bear sound asleep]

The Blue Jay flew to do this joyful errand, and soon
came dozens of chattering, noisy wildwood children to
the party.

But when they reached the house they found Little