They reached the lake in a few minutes, but what they saw was horrifying: there was a big bear in the middle of the lake. He had been surprised by a large vortex and was struggling not to drown... „It‘s him, he‘s my
friend, the bear!“ shouted the scared fox „we have to do something or he‘ll drown.“ By now, Arthur‘s days of being afraid were long gone, he had the impression that everything was part of a greater design. So, he understood why he‘d been given the staff: he approached the shore of the lake, placed it in the directionof the bear and plunged it into the water. Suddenly a furrow rippled the water until it reached the bottom of the lake, leaving only a few jumping trout on the ground and the poor bear who was still clumsily struggling,
legs in the air, didn‘t understand what had happened. „Hurry up Bear“ the fox cried „you‘re safe, but if you don‘t turn back to the shore, the waters will close up on you.“
The bear recognised his friend‘s voice and ran along the strange corridor that divided the lake in two. Once he‘d arrived ashore, Arthur lifted up his staff and the lake immediately returned to normal. „You saved my life,” said the bear „I‘m in your debt.“ And after a while, he returned with a bundle in his mouth, which he placed at the boy‘s feet. „Here, this is a very powerful healing ointment. It might come in handy.“ „Thank you,“ Arthur said, „but I need another favour from you. I‘m looking for the demon of the forest and it seems that only the great royal deer knows where he hides. Can you take us to him?„
„Of course! Jump on my back.“ Arthur didn‘t think twice.