The Nature Faker

A satirical short story written in the early 20th century. It explores the relationship between man and nature through the lens of a wealthy man's misguided attempt to liberate three performing bears. The narrative addresses themes of friendship, nature, and the absurdity of human ambitions, all framed within an entertaining commentary on society's perceptions of wild animals and their roles. The story follows Richard Herrick, a wealthy young man who, after being spurned in love, becomes enamored with nature. He buys three bears from a vaudeville act with the intention of releasing them into a game preserve he has created. His friends, Jackson and Kelly, ridicule his idealistic views, warning him that the bears are too domesticated to survive in the wild. Nevertheless, Herrick insists on his noble ambition to free them. Upon their release, the bears initially wander into the woods, but unexpectedly, their instincts are overridden by their familiarity with the performing life, leading to an ironic and humorous conclusion as they entertain the guests with an impromptu waltz. The story ends with Herrick's realization of the futility of his actions, highlighting the ironic conflict between his noble intentions and the reality of the bears' nature.