The Bear and the Gardener in this case keeping the flies off a friend, and the ultimate good of safeguarding his welfare. The story gained currency in England from the 18th century on through translations or imitations of La Fontaine. One of its earliest appearances was in Robert Dodsley's "Select fables of Esop and other fabulists" (1764), where it is given the title "The Hermit and the Bear" and a milder ending. In this version a hermit has done the bear a good turn; later still this was identified with taking a thorn from its paw, drawing on the story of Androcles and the Lion.
Water Lion Water Lion In many campaign settings for the "Dungeons & Dragons" role-playing game, Water Lion is a mysterious deity who hates sharks and roams the Prime Material Plane. Water Lion was first detailed in the book "Monster Mythology" (1992), including details about his priesthood. Water Lion manifests as a huge fish-bodied lion with a body completely composed of water; apparently more viscous than brine, this water is contained in an elastic plasma membrane that keeps Water Lion's shape. He casts both druidic and clerical spells. He is immune to water spells, but suffers disproportionately from fire spells. Water Lion is