The Bear by William Faulkner. Short summary

5 seconds

For years hunters have been trying to shoot a clever and cunning bear. They manage to chase the beast away with the help of a huge dog.

1 minute

Major de Spain’s friends liked to hunt in his woods. The boy Ike, whom old Sam had taught the hunters the tricks of the trade, rode with them on the hunt.

Most of all hunters dream of shooting Old Ben, a bear that has successfully evaded pursuit for many years. He is considered the master of the forest.

But Sam thinks that the hunters can kill the beast only with the help of a special dog. One day they come across a dog hunting cattle.

They catch him and begin to tame him. The dog is named Lion and becomes the pet of the unsuccessful hunter, Boone.

One day the lion catches up with the bear and rips into its throat. It rips the dog’s belly open. Boone rushes upon the beast and kills it.

The hunters return to camp. The lion and Sam die. Boone and Ike bury them.

Two years later, the Major sells his land to a timber company. Ike sees a factory under construction and a railroad line. He realizes he won’t be coming here again.