In the great stirring of all things that required a great act – whether it be an act of kindness or of great strength in spirit – there was a moment that required a choice to be made. For Shivali, it was to endure the pains of labor until her children were safely born, and to clean their tiny bodies so that they might breathe their first gasp of air. For Sos, it was taking that breath. His body was small and frail, easily harmed in its current state, but he was not destined for such a life. He was a bear, and he had been born to rule as one. A young man and a fierce reckoning to the world he had entered.
 
When he had at last broken through the final push of his mother’s body and entered the world, Sos was still encased in a protective wrap, housing in all of the good and preventing much of the bad things from reaching him. In a few gentle licks of Shivali’s tongue, the young bear cub was cleansed of that protective shell and the first chilling touch of air washed over him like a new wave. He was quiet for a long while, not certain what had happened, and instinct had yet to tell him that he needed to move toward his mother’s body for heat and to feed. His tiny feet merely shook and tremored with the uncertainty of the great unknown that had gripped him and granted him life.
 
A final draw of his mother’s tongue along his back, and he released his silent hold in a single cry. Throwing his head back, the bear called loudly and shrilly into the den. His limbs began to kick, and he was scooted toward the warmth of Shivali’s stomach, where he began to search wildly for a promise of food and survival. When his mouth had finally latched hold of the swollen teat, Sos found himself calmed by the mere act of sustaining himself. He drank and drank until his belly could hold no more. His brother was close, and his mother still jerked about with the fight in her spirit, urging – perhaps – another sibling to arrive.
 
Sos buried his nose deep into the fur of her stomach and his eyes became heavy. Sleep carried him away to a far-off land, where only dreams would inspire him to such great acts. His fragile little form was safely tucked against the warmth of a supportive parent, nestled gently beside his blood and bonds.