The Bear that had a Bank Account
This satirical tale revolves around a bear who inherits a large sum of money and opens a bank account to manage his newfound wealth. The story critiques the societal norms surrounding money and class, highlighting the absurdities of capitalism through the bear's experiences with banking and financial transactions.
By Hjalmar Hjorth Boysen · Genre: Folklore, Fantasy, Adventure · 3 chapters · 5,686 words
First lines
You may not believe it, but the bear I am going to tell you about really had a bank account! He lived in the woods, as most bears do; but he had a reputation which extended over all Norway and more than half of England. Earls and baronets came every summer, with repeating-rifles of the latest patent, and plaids and field-glasses and portable cooking-stoves, intent upon killing him. But Mr. Bruin, whose only weapons were a pair of paws and a pair of jaws, both uncommonly good of their kind, though not patented, always managed to get away unscathed; and that was sometimes more than the earls and the baronets did.
What this Textopian page supports
The Bear that had a Bank Account is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hjalmar Hjorth Boysen, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hjalmar Hjorth Boysen
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Folklore, Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature, Humor
- Length: 5,686 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 51 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Bear that had a Bank Account by Hjalmar Hjorth Boysen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Bear that had a Bank Account?
- How does this short story by Hjalmar Hjorth Boysen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Folklore first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Hare And The Hedgehog by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Bear And The Mouse by Parker Fillmore
- Mrs Peter Rabbit by Thornton W. Burgess
- Whittington And His Cat by James Baldwin
- The Cock And The Mouse by Frank Hamilton Cushing
- The Porcupine by Hilaire Belloc
Genres
- Folklore — The story incorporates elements of folklore, such as enchanted animals, magical bullets, and a hero's quest, which are common in traditional tales.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements like an enchanted bear and a magical bullet, creating a world where magic influences reality.
- Adventure — The plot follows a young boy's adventurous quest to hunt a legendary bear, involving exploration and danger.
- Children's Literature — The story is structured like a fairy tale with a young protagonist, moral lessons, and a narrative style appealing to children.
Tags
Fable · Children's Literature · Animal Story · Financial Literacy · Teaching Tool · Moral Lesson · Simple Language · Easy to Understand · Illustrated Book · Picture Book · Early Reader · Reading Comprehension