As the months collected, fall fell over the forest. Maria often enjoying the walks around with the colorful leaves drifting by and the pleasantly cool weather. She wore the cloak more often now with the changing weather.
She was softly humming to herself this day as made her way to the berry field. She was going to be gathering the remaining berries she could find before the last remnants fell from the bushes for the season. She had only been able to fill her bucket about a quarter when she saw a large form sleeping in the bushes.
'hehe I guess he's sleeping over here again' she thought to herself as walked over to the bushes the form was in. Reaching out and ran her hand over the lumping figure. She pulled her hand back suddenly as she was startled by the shorter more course fur than she was used to. A low growl followed as a large bear, who had been rummaging through the bushes for the last scraps of food, reared up with a roar.
Maria reared back rapidly with a yipe as the hungry bear swiped at her and caught the edge of her cloak. It had been looking for food and this was a much better find than meager berries.