NCE UPON A TIME, a fine young bear, named Filament, decided that he would like to build a snowbear more than anything he could think of.

     Of course, bears don't build snowmen anymore than men build snowbears. So, Filament had to ask his friend, Flagyl, if he would help.

     Now, Flagyl isn't really an outdoor bear. He is magic, though, and has been known to do wonderful things. But, going outside — and in the snow? "Oh my," said Flagyl, "not outside in the snow!"

     "But it will be such fun," Filament said. "We can build the finest snowbear ever seen anywhere."

     Well, Flagyl thought and thought and finally said he would go outside if someone would help him put on his new parka.

     Filament ran to the bear box where all the bear clothes are kept and got Flagyl's parka and his own down sweater. (Both from L.L. Bean, you know!)

     "Look Flagyl, here's your parka ... now let's get it on you so we can go out and make our wonderful snowbear." Filament helped Flagyl into his parka, zipped it up ... snapped up his own down vest ... and off they went to build their snowbear!

     Filament and Flagyl rushed out the back door And into the yard which was deep with fresh snow. "Look," Flagyl yelled, "the snow has covered everything we'll get lost out here."

     "If we do get lost, you can use some of your magic to get us un-lost." Filament said sarcastically. (Filament doesn't really think much of Flagyl's magic powers.) "Come on, help me get the snow rolled up to make our snowbear."

     So, they worked together and with a great deal of huffing and puffing the snowbear began to take shape.

     Finally, Filament placed the left ear on the snowbear's head to match the right one. "There," he said proudly, "our snowbear is done!"

     "Oh no, Filament ... he has no eyes, nose or mouth. We'll have to find something to make them." And Flagyl was off on a scavenger hunt. "Oh look," he said, "here's some bird seed we can use for the eyes."

     "Humpft!" Filament grumbled, "the birds will come and eat our snowbear's face!"

     "That will be great," Flagyl said. "We'll treat our friends the birds to dinner and have fun at the same time!"

     So, the bears collected seeds, made the snowbear's face, and laughed as the birds came to eat away his nose.

     The rest of the day was spent gathering seeds, making eyes, noses, and mouths. The birds flew over, chirping thanks for their dinner. Filament and Flagyl played in the snow . . . and the snowbear winked at them!