Miss Franny:
Now, one hot Thursday, way back then, I was sittin' here in the library, and all the doors and windows were wide open. And I had my nose in a book until I noticed a very peculiar smell. A very strong smell. And I raised my eyes up slowly and standing right in front of me was a bear.
[flashback shows a bear roaring]
Miss Franny:
A very large bear.
Opal:
How large was it?
Miss Franny:
At least four times the size of your dog.
Opal:
That big? Wow. Then what happened?
Miss Franny:
I very slowly
[grabs a book]
Miss Franny:
and very carefully raised up the book I was reading.
Opal:
What book was that?
Miss Franny:
War and Peace. And I carefully aimed it, and I threw it right at him! Be gone!
[the book was thrown towards the bear. Winn-Dixie barks]
Miss Franny:
[she laughs]
Good dog. Thank you.
[Winn-Dixie barks happily]
Miss Franny:
And do you know what?
Opal:
No, ma'am. What?
Miss Franny:
This is why I will never forget. He took the book with him.
Opal:
Nuh uh.
Miss Franny:
Yes, ma'am, he snatched it up and ran off.
[the bear grabs the book and leaves the library]
Opal:
Did he ever come back?
Miss Franny:
No. I never saw him again. Well, the men in town, they used to tease me about it. They used to say "Miss Franny, we saw that bear of yours out in the woods today." "He was reading War and Peace and said it sure was good, and he'd like to check it out again."
[the bear was raising his left paw while reading War and Peace]
Miss Franny:
Ah, I imagine I'm the only one who even recalls that bear.
