They reached home just as the shadows were growing long and the first star appeared, twinkling like a diamond in the twilight sky. Father was just about to light the lamps when he heard a distant 'baa-baa' and then a soft, rhythmic thudding. He rushed to the door, and there, walking proudly up to the farm, was Bjorn the giant polar bear, with Ingrid on his back and all the lost sheep trotting happily behind!
'Ingrid! My brave girl!' cried Mother, rushing out for a warm hug, her eyes filled with happy tears. 'And the sheep! All of them!' Father simply stared, his mouth agape, at the sight of the giant white bear. Bjorn gave a soft 'woof' and gently lowered Ingrid, then, with a nod that seemed to say 'my work here is done,' turned and padded silently back towards the snowy hills, melting into the twilight.