Mari, the eldest at twelve, leads her sisters into the heart of the woods, her wicker basket swinging at her side. Hanna, eight, skips at her heels, her laughter mingling with the trill of songbirds. Bringing up the rear is Ida, just five, her cheeks already stained with berry juice, and beside her bounds Mio, their glossy-furred flatcoated retriever, nose twitching with excitement. "Look, there are so many blueberries here!" "Let’s fill our baskets before Mama calls us for lunch. Mio, keep an eye out for any trouble, okay?"

Ida giggles as she pops another berry into her mouth, her eyes alight with mischief. Mio sniffs intently at the air, ears pricking, tail held alert. Suddenly, a branch snaps somewhere deeper in the thicket, and all three girls freeze, their chatter stilled by the unfamiliar sound. "Did you hear that? Maybe it’s just a deer," "Stay close, Ida. Hanna, don’t wander off,"

The sisters clutch one another, eyes wide with fear as the bear sniffs the air, drawn by the scent of berries and children. Mio positions himself in front of the girls, hackles raised, letting out a low, warning growl. The bear pauses, its black eyes fixed on the group, uncertainty flickering in its movements. "Mari, I’m scared," "Don’t move. Mio’s here,"

Mio barks again, louder and fiercer, lunging a few steps toward the bear to make himself appear larger. The bear hesitates, grunting, and takes a slow step back, confused by the determined dog blocking its path. The sisters huddle behind Mio, holding their breath, as tension crackles in the stillness. "Go away! Leave us alone!" Hanna shouts, her voice shaky but brave.

Relief floods the sisters as the bear disappears from view. Mio circles back, tail wagging, nuzzling each girl to comfort them. Mari kneels and wraps her arms around Mio, her voice trembling with gratitude. "You were so brave, Mio. You saved us," "Can we go home now?" Ida whispers, clinging to Hanna’s hand.

Their voices are hushed, but the bond between them feels stronger than ever. Hanna glances at Mio, eyes shining with admiration, while Ida skips again, her fear forgotten. When the cottage roof comes into view, the girls break into smiles, ready to share their tale of adventure and heroism. "Wait till Mama hears what Mio did today," "He’ll get the biggest treat tonight. He’s a real hero,"