Jan Berenstain - The Berenstain Bears Gossip Gang

Without wood a fire goes out;
without gossip a quarrel dies down.

Proverbs 26:20

Lizzy and Suzie were Sister Bears best friends. They liked doing all sorts of things together. They rode bikes and jumped rope.

They played soccer outside and video games inside. They had tea parties with their dolls and stuffed animals. And sometimes they just sat around and talked.

They talked about anything and everything. They talked about TV shows and toys, about games and songs, about pets, parents, brothers and sisters, and, of course, their other friends.

Did you hear about Queenie? asked Lizzy. Queenie McBear was an older cub who was very popular. I heard she has a big crush on Too-Tall Grizzly, but he has a crush on Bonnie Brown!

Oooh! said the others. They were too young to have crushes yet. But they liked to talk about them.

Did you get a load of that new cub in school? asked Suzie. His name is actually Teddy Bear! The others laughed. Suzie had been a new cub not so long ago. But she didnt seem to remember.

Well, I saw Anna Bruin the other day, said Sister, and, you know, I think she put on some weight. She looks sort of chubby.

Lizzy and Suzie giggled.

The three friends talked for a while longer but it was soon dinnertime. See you! said Sister, heading home. She liked talking to Lizzy and Suzie about other cubs. It made her feel special and in-the-know.

Back home, Mama and Papa were setting the table. Brother and Sister joined them.

Do you know what Herb the mailman told me? Papa said to Mama as he laid the silverware.

I cant imagine, said Mama, busy putting out plates.

He said someone saw Mayor Honeypot throwing a banana peel out his car window. Imaginethe mayor, himself, a litterbug!

Now, Papa, said Mama, you know thats just gossip. You shouldnt spread stories like that.

Papa looked a little ashamed. I guess youre right. It was just so interesting.

As they sat down to dinner, Sister had a question.

Mama, she asked, whats gossip?

Well, Mama began, gossip is when we tell stories about othersespecially stories that make them look bad. Its something we do to make ourselves feel special. It can be very hurtful.

As the Bible says, gossip separates close friends.

Oh, said Sister, worried. She thought maybe saying that Anna looked sort of chubby was gossip. She decided not to think about it anymore.

The next day, Sister saw Lizzy and Suzie walking ahead of her on the way to the playground. They were busy talking and didnt notice Sister coming up behind them. As Sister drew near, she overheard them talking about her!

Do you know what Anna told me about Sister? began Lizzy.

No, what? asked Suzie, eagerly.

She saw Sisters spelling quiz when Teacher Jane was handing back the papers, and it was marked, 60%very poor! said Lizzy.

Wow! said Suzie.

When Sister heard that, she stopped short. In the first place, it wasnt true. Her quiz was marked 70%fair. That wasnt too good, but it wasnt as bad as all that.

And, in the second place, why were Lizzy and Suzie gossiping about her? They were supposed to be her best friends. She felt so bad she hid behind a tree until Lizzy and Suzie were out of sight.

As Sister came out from behind the tree, Brother Bear walked by. He was on his way to play catch with Cousin Fred.

What on earth ? he said. Why are you hiding behind a tree?

I didnt want Lizzy and Suzie to see me, said Sister.

Why not? he asked.

Because they were gossiping about me and I heard, said Sister. I was so embarrassed!

Im sorry, said Brother. Why dont you come along with me and play catch with Fred?

So they did.

At the playground, they started tossing the ball around. Sister could see Lizzy and Suzie on the swings, nearby. They waved and Sister waved back. Then she got angry.

You know what I heard about Lizzy? she called, loudly, to Fred. I heard that she is a big silly dope!