An atheist was taking a walk through the woods.
"What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What
beautiful animals!" he said to himself.
As he continued walking alongside the river he
heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning to look, he
saw a 7 foot grizzly charging towards him. He ran as
fast as he could up the path. Looking over his
shoulder he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart
was pumping frantically and he tried to run even
faster.
He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over
to pick himself up but saw the bear raising his paw
to take a swipe at him.

At that instant the atheist cried out: "Oh my
God!..."

Time stopped.

The bear froze.

The forest was silent.

It was then that a bright light shone upon the man
and a voice came out of the sky saying:

"You deny my existence for all of these years,
teach others I don't exist and even credit creation
to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you
out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a
believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light.

"It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask
you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps,
could you make the BEAR a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice. The light went out,
and the sounds of the forest resumed.

And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head
and spoke:

"Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive
and for which I am truly thankful, Amen."

Added by webmaster at 09-Mar-2007