Take A Flying Leap

On his return from a trip into the wilds, a birdwatcher told this story of an encounter with a bear…

I was hiking through the woods, he said, and came to a big clearing. When I got into the middle of the field I found myself face-to-face with the biggest bear I had ever seen. He was at least twelve feet tall and his paws were at least a foot wide. I turned and ran for my life toward the only tree standing in the field. It was a very tall tree and the first branch was a good twenty-five feet above the ground. What did you do? cried one of his listeners. What could I do? the man replied. The bear was right behind me. I could feel his hot breath on my neck. So I took a flying leap for that branch. Did you make it? the listener asked. Well, no, said the birdwatcher, not going up. But I caught it coming down.…