Barnaby
A gentle bear who keeps the group grounded.
Barnaby is steady, kind and happiest when everyone feels included. He usually brings snacks and occasionally the only sensible plan.
The missing picnic basket
Barnaby always brought food for everyone. On picnic day he packed sandwiches, fruit and three kinds of biscuits. At the clearing, he opened his bag. The picnic basket was gone.
Finn searched the path. Milo looked under every leaf big enough to hide a biscuit. Barnaby stayed calm and handed out the apple he had tucked into his pocket. They shared it in small slices while they thought.
Then Barnaby heard a familiar creak. He turned around. The basket was still strapped to his back, exactly where he had put it. Finn stared. Milo laughed so hard he dropped his apple slice.
Barnaby set the basket down and served lunch. “Good news,” he said. “The sandwiches are safe.” Finn asked whether Barnaby had packed a spare basket too. Barnaby checked. He had.