WORDS TO LIFT BY

Biggie missed his dad. He was the biggest of the Bigfoot clan and he was very protective of Biggie and his mom. They always had the best times together!

Back home, he ran to Mom. “Why are you out of breath, Biggie?” she asked. Biggie sat down on his favorite moss-covered rock. Mom wiped his hairy brow. “It’s all right. You can tell me, son.”

“Mom,” said Biggie, “do you believe in humans? I know you said they don’t exist, but Mom...I just saw some!” Mom crossed her arms. “Now, Biggie. I don’t know what you saw, but you sure didn’t see any humans. They don’t exist. They were probably bears or badgers or a cougar or two.”

That night, Biggie laid out under the stars. “How can Mom say humans don’t exist? I saw them with my own two eyes.

As he sat there, the boys and girls looked up into his eyes. “Wow is he a giant kid in a suit?” asked one boy. “He can’t be real,” said another. But then a little girl stepped forward. “He’s real, all right. He’s a real little bigfoot. Look at those huge hairy feet!” The little girl and her friends led Biggie to safety, so the bad humans couldn’t find him. “Thank you,” said Biggie. “I’ll never forget this.”

When Biggie got home, Mom was upset. “What’d I tell you about running off to find humans?” She sat down and sighed. “You’re bold and adventurous like your father. I’m sure you saw that picture of me. Humans took that picture, but I didn’t know what they were doing or what that picture contraption was back then. I was afraid, so when I told your dad, he went off to find them.”

“And never came back,” said Biggie. “I know, Mom. But guess what? Humans saved me today. They’re not all bad! Most of the kids didn’t believe I was real, but one did. You see? Some of them believe the truth!” Mom sat down and hugged her little bigfoot. “You’re a good son. I want you to be safe. Maybe most humans shouldn’t believe we’re real to keep us safe from them. But some with good hearts, like that little girl, will always see the truth.”

As they walked back home, Biggie squeezed Mom’s hand. “You know, Mom,” he said. “Maybe it’s enough only a few humans believe in us. They have faith in us and know we won’t hurt them.” Mom squeezed back and said, “My little Biggie, you’re going to make a great Bigfoot. And you know what? Most people won’t ever believe in us.

“We just need to stay hopeful that more good humans exist,” said Mama. “I believe!,” said Biggie. “But Mom…what makes someone good or worth believing in?”

A couple bold and smart humans thought we might need to be protected. These were the good humans, just like that little girl who saved you from the bad ones with the boom sticks.” “Wait, Mom,” interrupted Biggie, “Why do you call those humans bold and smart?” “Well, my little Biggie, most humans don’t believe in us or your cousins because they’re afraid. They think we’re just bad because we’re different than they are. But the ones that were bold enough to find out about us, those are the ones who know the truth about our kind, and about life.” “Huh, the truth about life?,” Biggie asked curiously.

The truth about life is that all things can be either good or bad, and most things are a little of both. Nothing is all good, or all bad. Our job is to try to always look for and choose or create the good, Biggie. I guess I got so afraid after your dad disappeared that I stopped believing that good even existed.”

“You can’t stop believing in good, mama! Believing in something makes life worth it. It makes life fun and it’s fun when we discover the good that’s out there.”