[Jeff Higgins]

While on holiday in Yellowstone and driving accross a bridge a man comes across a bear hanging precariously from a bridge.

The bear seems distressed so the man approaches very carefully. He gets down on one knee and peers over the side of the bridge, only to see the bear clinging to life by his front claws.

The man goes for help, and returns with a net and a crane. With a great deal of planning and effort, they manage to stretch the net under the bridge and entice the bear to let go and jump into the net. They lower the bear safely to the ground, undoubtedly saving its life. The man has himself lowered in a sling along with the bear, so he can set it free from the net in the gully below. When he frees the bear, it looks back at him before walking off, and grunts what the mans takes to be a bear "thanks".

For years after the man often remembers and ponders the events of that day...

One day the man is walking through the zoo with his son. As they approach the bear enclosure, one of the bears turns and walks over to where they are standing at the rail. It stares at him and grunts, and the man can't help wondering if this is the same bear.

The man climbs tentatively over the railing and makes his way into the enclosure. He walks right up to the bear and stares back in wonder. Suddenly the bear rears up, wraps its front legs around the man and crushes him, instantly killing him.

Probably not the same bear.