An amateur photographer hiking though the woods in eastern Finland this past week was lucky enough to capture the moment that three little bear cubs danced in a circle on their hind legs, producing an image so adorable that it inevitably went viral: I can’t resist showing it here as well. In the accompanying story, Valterri Mulkahainen reports that the bears were scampering around like little children, while all the while he snapped away.
Now these little bears are irresistible in any configuration, but look at the first two pictures in which they form a threesome and look almost unreal and positively magical: a good example of the “rule of three” as it applies to the animal kingdom. This must be why we have Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Three Blind Mice, Three Little Pigs, Three Little Kittens, and Three French Hens, and pubs with names like Three Pheasants and Three Foxes. The authors of fairy tales and nursery rhymes certainly recognized the power of three through the ages, as did their illustrators: these little bears (and Mr. Mulkahainen’s camera) have brought lore to life.
Illustrations by Arthur Rackham (1922), L. Leslie Brooke (1905) and Walter Corbould (1909).
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:11 am
Such adorable photos! Your right though, it doesn’t seem real and it is magical! Gotta listen to the magical rule of three 🙂
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:38 am
Instantly brought to mind the iconic dancing bear picture by William Holbrook Beard!
November 24th, 2013 at 10:37 am
You’re so right–perfect comparison
November 23rd, 2013 at 3:39 pm
What an amazing shot and doesn’t Mama look HUGE!.. c
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:55 pm
how cute is that!!! ???!!!
November 24th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Amazing!