FAR AWAY IN A DISTANT GALAXY THERE EXISTS A PLANET CALLED 'VYNEN'. THE PLANET IS INHABITED BY "ECOBEARS" WHO ARE ARE TAUGHT TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH EACH OTHER AND THE NATURAL WORLD AROUND THEM. THEY MAKE HOMES, CLOTHES, FOOD AND FUEL FROM THE PRECIOUS 'VYNE-TREE' , WHICH THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO NURTURE AND PROTECT. ILLUSTRATED.
Chapter One
PLANET VYNEN
IMAGINE... I am sure we have all looked up on a dark, clear, moonless night into the great vast universe above and wondered "is there life out there?" What lies beyond its myriad of shimmering, twinkling stars, brightly piercing the black canvas above and begging us to ask the question time and time again - "Is there life out there, and, if so, who?"
To find the answer we must travel back as far as our imagination will allow us, and beyond. Back to a very special and secret realm in space, billions of Earth years and a trillion star lights away, where all the words we know could never describe the magnificence and majesty of what is to be found there. This realm has the most awesome natural beauty that has ever been seen and the inhabitants, the ecobears, are the most marvellous creatures who possess remarkable abilities.
I speak of Vynen - Planet Vynen, a wonderous world that enjoys a similar ecosphere to the planet Earth. It has a day-time and night-time cycle but only two seasonal changes which offer wonderful, long, tranquil and serene summers with a contrast of short, crisp, raw winters.
Vynen is the largest fragment still remaining from a catastrophic supernova explosion, aeons and aeons ago. The smaller, lesser planets and satellites orbit around her, with countless comets and asteroids endlessly drifting through time, circling in the orbital path Vynen gives them, with the freedom of the heavens as their celestial playground.
The ecobears are devoted exclusively to the perpetual harmony of their planet and their primary aim is Vynen's ecological upkeep. To an ecobear, all forms of life, both plant and animal, have equal standing. This is the only decree made by Hyred, the Supreme Ruler of Vynen. Hyred gained this title because of his immense knowledge of worldly and spiritual matters and also because of his enormous size, clearly three times the size of any other ecobear. He is famous throughout Vynen for his wisdom, kindness and compassion for all living things. His motto is "be kind to others as you would have others be kind to you". he guides and nurtures the ecobears towards this greater wisdom and, through showing diligence in their work and loving care to all, they can gain merit points, earning themselves their very own ecosac, (a very special backpack).
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The ecosac is the highest accolade an ecobear can be awarded as it contains everything he or she will ever need: preservation tools, fresh seeds and, above all, the revered "Ecobear Book of Knowledge". This very special book, if studied assiduously, learned and carried out with a true heart, will enable an ecobear to fully evolve and be as good a bear as he can. Ecobears need to be able to sustain their own lives and the knowledge to do this is contained within this sacred book. It explains all about the precious vyne-tree, its cultivation, maintenance and processing, allowing the bears to make homes, clothes, food and fuel.
When Supreme Ecobear, Hyred, thinks the ecobears are ready he refers them to Master Dante, the magician and wisest of all ecobears, for further learning. Master Dante is the greatest, most powerful magician on Vynen. His knowledge is as vast as the great oceans and as limitless as the air that surrounds them. It is this knowledge and wisdom that he used many years ago, with the help of other Elders, when he compiled the instructions and doctrines in the sacred "Ecobear Book of Knowledge".
As Master Dante glides along he is a sight to behold. His mighty staff is as tall as he is and is embedded with fabulous, glistening jewels. It is topped with a crystal that shimmers in the light and is as clear as the water of the mountain springs. It seems to know his thoughts and shines even brighter when he is really concentrating, seeming to almost come alive, imbued with its Master's power. It is not unusual for other bears, especially his apprentices, to see the magician talking to his staff. Master Dante wears the grandest robes on all of Vynen, most appropiate for a bear of his status and position. They are encrusted with precious jewels, excavated from the deepest of Vynen's extensive network of underground mines, hundreds of feet below the surface, stretching under mountains, below towns and villages all across the countryside.
The gems are brought to the surface to be cut and lovingly polished by master craftbears. What an honour it is for those who are chosen to prepare these magnificent jewels for Master Dante, and, only when they are finished to the highest standard, are they sewn onto his luxurious robes that flow all around him like a sea of shimmering waves. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires are all intricately and patiently sewn into place with gold and silver thread.
Vynen's tailors (who are commissioned to make such robes for the finest dignitaries) have a legend of their own. Many years before, as the story goes, Rubeki, the greatest of all tailors, was commissioned by Myrthus to make him some splendid new robes. Myrthus, at the time, was to be elevated to the status of Master of the Elders, so the robes for the forthcoming ceremony would have to be very special indeed. But, as legend goes, the worst thing happened. Rubeki lost all his inspiration and could not think of any ideas for the design of these special robes.
Day after day passed as he paced gloomily around his workshop, saying very little and doing even less, until, with only three days to go and unable to stay awake any longer , he fell asleep behind his sewing machine. It was during this sleep that he had the most wonderful dream in which a very beautiful lady-bear appeared, surrounded by a shimmering, light mist and she said -
"The inspiration you seek lies within your heart. So, search your heart to reveal the great wonders you desire to fulfil your dreams of making the special Robes of Ceremony. You will wake revived and start a new day with an abundance of new techniques and ideas and will never again run out of inspiration!"
Upon wakening, Rubeki set to work immediately on the new robes for Myrthus and, ever since that day, he has glowed with life and an eagerness to create new clothes. Myrthus was so pleased with his garments that he told everyone and Rubeki was commissioned by all the other Elders to make their new robes too. Even today, young apprentices recount this ancient tale whilst busily working behind their sewing machines.
As one of the great bears of Vynen, Master Dante has many duties to perform. A very important task for him to carry out is to test the "travellers", as they will be the potential saviours of other worlds. He needs to make sure they have committed to memory everything they have been taught, enabling this valuable source of information to be passed to others when they are ready, hoping to keep the flame of learning shining forever, so all ecobears may learn to look after their planet and live in harmony. Ecobears have to prove that their intention is to work for the good of their ecosystem. The most important task they have to learn and understand is the taking care of the flora and fauna, not only on land but also in the seas and oceans, and learning to keep the air and water clean and pure for the health and prosperity of all living things.
Rainbow Days are declared holidays when all the families on Vynen, no matter what their status, have picnics. This tradition is as old as time itself and it surprises no one to see his Highness, Hyred, and his family having lunch with his friend Granville, the farmer, or to find Master Dante having a cup of vyne-tea with the tailors. After they have eaten, some ecobears enjoy playing traditional holiday games such as kite flying, stilt walking or hoops. Then, in the evening, when daylight fades, all bears will sit back, relax and watch the 'Raman' - which happens only a few times a year. This is when the light from the stars reflects with the evening mist to form rainbows and auroras that scatter across the entire sky, creating a display of shimmering colours. It is for this that the planet Vynen is very famous.
Some celebrations can last over several days when they are held to commemorate a special occasion, such as Supreme Ecobear Hyred's birthday or to celebrate his enthronement day. All ecobears rejoice on these national fiestas for it is also a time to celebrate life itself, given to them by their ancestors. This is known as 'The Unification of Spiritual Life on Planet Vynen.' It is believed that all bears should strive for happiness and that this is achieved through mutual understanding and co-operation with all fellow creatures, ensuring that all life enjoys lasting peace and harmony.
This harmony, or 'Green Age', has lasted hundreds of thousands of years and is a time of great understanding and self awareness, so that, as all life continues, no life form should ever have to suffer, feel neglected or let down by the administration of the Elders. The 'Green Age' on Vynen will continue because these precious teachings are engrained in every ecobear's mind and will remain that way as ecobears strive for the good of all.
Some ecobears constantly develop their learning, gaining more and more knowledge. When they have shown Master Dante the numerous tasks of which they are capable, he will enter them for their final examinations. These are very rigorous indeed, as the ecobears have to go before the Elders, who are twenty three in total and who reside in the tallest building on Vynen, which overlooks the entire city of Rudalis.
But wait - you are wondering how I know of these things . Well, you see, my name is Dessa and I am your story teller. My home is on the far side of Vynen, up in the mountains, deep in a lush green valley where the water springs from beneath the ground after flowing all the way from the mountains' snowy peaks. I live in a place full of mystery, magic and legend and I know every story that was ever told on Vynen as it is my task to record all the traditions, folklore and legendary tales. I live in a magical place that helps me collect and document all the precious stories that have been told since the beginning of time, a place full of the origins of Vynen's natural beginnings.
On days of celebrations I travel to the towns and cities to re-tell the stories of old, of how ecobears have evolved and what their purpose is in this universe that we share with you! So, read on as I share my story with you about the wonderful adventures of ecobears..........
The text, photographs and illustrations for ECOBEARS are the copyright material and property of David Sterricker, Gareth Rivett and Yvonne Wright. No part may be reproduced without our permission. Contact us via email for permission details. ECOBEARS is a registered Trademark. All rights reserved.
PLANET VYNEN
IMAGINE... I am sure we have all looked up on a dark, clear, moonless night into the great vast universe above and wondered "is there life out there?" What lies beyond its myriad of shimmering, twinkling stars, brightly piercing the black canvas above and begging us to ask the question time and time again - "Is there life out there, and, if so, who?"
To find the answer we must travel back as far as our imagination will allow us, and beyond. Back to a very special and secret realm in space, billions of Earth years and a trillion star lights away, where all the words we know could never describe the magnificence and majesty of what is to be found there. This realm has the most awesome natural beauty that has ever been seen and the inhabitants, the ecobears, are the most marvellous creatures who possess remarkable abilities.
I speak of Vynen - Planet Vynen, a wonderous world that enjoys a similar ecosphere to the planet Earth. It has a day-time and night-time cycle but only two seasonal changes which offer wonderful, long, tranquil and serene summers with a contrast of short, crisp, raw winters.
Vynen is the largest fragment still remaining from a catastrophic supernova explosion, aeons and aeons ago. The smaller, lesser planets and satellites orbit around her, with countless comets and asteroids endlessly drifting through time, circling in the orbital path Vynen gives them, with the freedom of the heavens as their celestial playground.
The ecobears are devoted exclusively to the perpetual harmony of their planet and their primary aim is Vynen's ecological upkeep. To an ecobear, all forms of life, both plant and animal, have equal standing. This is the only decree made by Hyred, the Supreme Ruler of Vynen. Hyred gained this title because of his immense knowledge of worldly and spiritual matters and also because of his enormous size, clearly three times the size of any other ecobear. He is famous throughout Vynen for his wisdom, kindness and compassion for all living things. His motto is "be kind to others as you would have others be kind to you". he guides and nurtures the ecobears towards this greater wisdom and, through showing diligence in their work and loving care to all, they can gain merit points, earning themselves their very own ecosac, (a very special backpack).
The ecosac is the highest accolade an ecobear can be awarded as it contains everything he or she will ever need: preservation tools, fresh seeds and, above all, the revered "Ecobear Book of Knowledge". This very special book, if studied assiduously, learned and carried out with a true heart, will enable an ecobear to fully evolve and be as good a bear as he can. Ecobears need to be able to sustain their own lives and the knowledge to do this is contained within this sacred book. It explains all about the precious vyne-tree, its cultivation, maintenance and processing, allowing the bears to make homes, clothes, food and fuel.
When Supreme Ecobear, Hyred, thinks the ecobears are ready he refers them to Master Dante, the magician and wisest of all ecobears, for further learning. Master Dante is the greatest, most powerful magician on Vynen. His knowledge is as vast as the great oceans and as limitless as the air that surrounds them. It is this knowledge and wisdom that he used many years ago, with the help of other Elders, when he compiled the instructions and doctrines in the sacred "Ecobear Book of Knowledge".
As Master Dante glides along he is a sight to behold. His mighty staff is as tall as he is and is embedded with fabulous, glistening jewels. It is topped with a crystal that shimmers in the light and is as clear as the water of the mountain springs. It seems to know his thoughts and shines even brighter when he is really concentrating, seeming to almost come alive, imbued with its Master's power. It is not unusual for other bears, especially his apprentices, to see the magician talking to his staff. Master Dante wears the grandest robes on all of Vynen, most appropiate for a bear of his status and position. They are encrusted with precious jewels, excavated from the deepest of Vynen's extensive network of underground mines, hundreds of feet below the surface, stretching under mountains, below towns and villages all across the countryside.
The gems are brought to the surface to be cut and lovingly polished by master craftbears. What an honour it is for those who are chosen to prepare these magnificent jewels for Master Dante, and, only when they are finished to the highest standard, are they sewn onto his luxurious robes that flow all around him like a sea of shimmering waves. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires are all intricately and patiently sewn into place with gold and silver thread.
Vynen's tailors (who are commissioned to make such robes for the finest dignitaries) have a legend of their own. Many years before, as the story goes, Rubeki, the greatest of all tailors, was commissioned by Myrthus to make him some splendid new robes. Myrthus, at the time, was to be elevated to the status of Master of the Elders, so the robes for the forthcoming ceremony would have to be very special indeed. But, as legend goes, the worst thing happened. Rubeki lost all his inspiration and could not think of any ideas for the design of these special robes.
Day after day passed as he paced gloomily around his workshop, saying very little and doing even less, until, with only three days to go and unable to stay awake any longer , he fell asleep behind his sewing machine. It was during this sleep that he had the most wonderful dream in which a very beautiful lady-bear appeared, surrounded by a shimmering, light mist and she said -
"The inspiration you seek lies within your heart. So, search your heart to reveal the great wonders you desire to fulfil your dreams of making the special Robes of Ceremony. You will wake revived and start a new day with an abundance of new techniques and ideas and will never again run out of inspiration!"
Upon wakening, Rubeki set to work immediately on the new robes for Myrthus and, ever since that day, he has glowed with life and an eagerness to create new clothes. Myrthus was so pleased with his garments that he told everyone and Rubeki was commissioned by all the other Elders to make their new robes too. Even today, young apprentices recount this ancient tale whilst busily working behind their sewing machines.
As one of the great bears of Vynen, Master Dante has many duties to perform. A very important task for him to carry out is to test the "travellers", as they will be the potential saviours of other worlds. He needs to make sure they have committed to memory everything they have been taught, enabling this valuable source of information to be passed to others when they are ready, hoping to keep the flame of learning shining forever, so all ecobears may learn to look after their planet and live in harmony. Ecobears have to prove that their intention is to work for the good of their ecosystem. The most important task they have to learn and understand is the taking care of the flora and fauna, not only on land but also in the seas and oceans, and learning to keep the air and water clean and pure for the health and prosperity of all living things.
Rainbow Days are declared holidays when all the families on Vynen, no matter what their status, have picnics. This tradition is as old as time itself and it surprises no one to see his Highness, Hyred, and his family having lunch with his friend Granville, the farmer, or to find Master Dante having a cup of vyne-tea with the tailors. After they have eaten, some ecobears enjoy playing traditional holiday games such as kite flying, stilt walking or hoops. Then, in the evening, when daylight fades, all bears will sit back, relax and watch the 'Raman' - which happens only a few times a year. This is when the light from the stars reflects with the evening mist to form rainbows and auroras that scatter across the entire sky, creating a display of shimmering colours. It is for this that the planet Vynen is very famous.
Some celebrations can last over several days when they are held to commemorate a special occasion, such as Supreme Ecobear Hyred's birthday or to celebrate his enthronement day. All ecobears rejoice on these national fiestas for it is also a time to celebrate life itself, given to them by their ancestors. This is known as 'The Unification of Spiritual Life on Planet Vynen.' It is believed that all bears should strive for happiness and that this is achieved through mutual understanding and co-operation with all fellow creatures, ensuring that all life enjoys lasting peace and harmony.
This harmony, or 'Green Age', has lasted hundreds of thousands of years and is a time of great understanding and self awareness, so that, as all life continues, no life form should ever have to suffer, feel neglected or let down by the administration of the Elders. The 'Green Age' on Vynen will continue because these precious teachings are engrained in every ecobear's mind and will remain that way as ecobears strive for the good of all.
Some ecobears constantly develop their learning, gaining more and more knowledge. When they have shown Master Dante the numerous tasks of which they are capable, he will enter them for their final examinations. These are very rigorous indeed, as the ecobears have to go before the Elders, who are twenty three in total and who reside in the tallest building on Vynen, which overlooks the entire city of Rudalis.
But wait - you are wondering how I know of these things . Well, you see, my name is Dessa and I am your story teller. My home is on the far side of Vynen, up in the mountains, deep in a lush green valley where the water springs from beneath the ground after flowing all the way from the mountains' snowy peaks. I live in a place full of mystery, magic and legend and I know every story that was ever told on Vynen as it is my task to record all the traditions, folklore and legendary tales. I live in a magical place that helps me collect and document all the precious stories that have been told since the beginning of time, a place full of the origins of Vynen's natural beginnings.
On days of celebrations I travel to the towns and cities to re-tell the stories of old, of how ecobears have evolved and what their purpose is in this universe that we share with you! So, read on as I share my story with you about the wonderful adventures of ecobears..........
The text, photographs and illustrations for ECOBEARS are the copyright material and property of David Sterricker, Gareth Rivett and Yvonne Wright. No part may be reproduced without our permission. Contact us via email for permission details. ECOBEARS is a registered Trademark. All rights reserved.