For Humans our lineages go back many generations. Until our very origins get lost in time. For the Care Bears and Cousins it is no different. Yes they all know the legends of True Heart and Noble Heart. Also of the first Cubs and Kits who evolved into the first Care a Lot generation. But there lies the problem.

It is impossible to trace the ancestry of the Bears and Kits raised by the first Care Bear. For they were descended of ordinary animals. Who become extraordinary through Devine Intervention. Deities intervened to stop the misuse of Science. Also the misuse of Magic. All of which had been used by several evil individuals who used animals for evil experiments. Those animals made for a strange blend of heritages.

For Playful Heart Monkey and Funshine Bear it meant they were distant Cousins. Being descendants of the first Bear and Cousin to mate outside their original species. A female Bear and male Monkey who found a Care Bear female could get impregnated from a Care Cousin male.

The current Funshine and Playful Heart are both males. Both are adventurous. They often got together to play as youngsters. As they got older they often played Sports together. In a sense they are best buddies. Often unwinding together after playing sports with a Bumble Berry wine or two. Or some All Care ales.

They are also bachelors. Preferring Females as Dates not Mates. So they have to be careful when monkeying around with Females. They are perfectly happy with their own status quos.

Like all Humans, Care Bears and Cousins; each has his own vices. Funshine's is accepting dares and making bets. He loves playing cards for Care Credits. Playful Heart has a vice much like Share Bear. For both like alcoholic drinks. Drinks stronger than those that Bears or Cousins are supposed to stick to. Some joked that being mated to Grumpy was enough to make Share drink. However Grumpy is a great influence in keeping Share sober. He truly cares for Share.

Grumpy became Share's rock in a storm. The anchor that tries to keep Share tied away from her worse vice. Share in turn helps Grumpy to ward off Depression. Each Bear truly depends on the other. Their joint home life helping each to ward off strife. Especially since the birth of their Cub, Sulky. For her sake Share and Grumpy have to ward off their vices.

Playful Heart had no Mate to turn to. Away from home he could confide with friends such as Funshine. At home it was just him, KARE radio, KARE television, and the daily newspaper. Also the thoughts in his own head. To pass the time and make life more comfortable Playful Heart began to reach for a glass of wine or ale with increasing frequency. In time the low alcohol content of those drinks was not enough.

On Caring Missions to Earth Playful Heart often picked up what some Humans call "nipper bottles" of Hard Liquor. Stowing them in his Care Pack so no Bear or Cousin could see. In time he became dependent on alcoholic drinks. To his horror he realized he could go down in Care Cousin history. As one of the very few alcoholic Care Cousins. It is hard to hide alcohol dependency. Whether Human, Care Bear or Cousin. Someone was bound to take notice.

Indeed Funshine had begun to wonder about his friend. One day Funshine was talking to Surprise. They watched as Brave Heart walked by mumbling. Without really thinking Brave Heart jokingly mumbled loudly "some Caring Missions are bad enough to drive a Care Cousin to drinking". Then he stalked off.

Surprise looked Funshine in the eyes. "Surprise" she yelled. "I know of one Care Cousin who already has been driven to drinking! I think you do too!" Then Surprise literally ran down the street. Funshine sighed. He was sure Surprise meant Playful Heart. Funshine needed some time to mull over just what he should do. He wished there was some other Bear or Cousin he could quietly ask for advice.

Funshine then remembered some whispered rumors about Share. He felt uncomfortable about approaching her. However she was Surprise's sister. Share may have recognized the signs of possible alcoholism in Playful Heart. Then confided that information to Surprise. So Funshine made a visit to the Share Shack. Share loved to talk as she waited on patrons. So Funshine dropped in for a snack. Also a chance to glean some info from Share.

Share happily waited on Funshine. Funshine sipped his espresso as Share took Sulky out of her stroller. Funshine smiled as he watched Share hand the tiny Cub to Grumpy. It was amazing to see a male Bear many considered a Grouch tenderly holding a Cub. Grumpy's usual half smile was a bit wider than usual. Sulky stopped sulking and made Cub sounds, trying to communicate with her Daddy.

Then Sulky was placed in her cub carriage by Grumpy. Share and Grumpy said "see you later" to each other. Funshine watched as Grumpy then headed home. With Sulky safely in Daddy's care. Share headed over to Funshine's table with a fresh pot of espresso.

"Well Funshine" said Share as she re-filled his cup. "Heard anything interesting lately? Surprise said she had a very short talk with you earlier." Funshine knew it was now or never to say some uncomfortable things.

"Well Share, I suspect a friend of mine has a problem. What Humans refer to as alcoholism. However my friend is not a Human. He resides near here in The Forest of Feelings. I feel bad about having to suspect a Care Cousin of having such a problem."

Funshine knew one thing about Share. She was a very honest Bear. Without hesitating she said "well your friend would not be the first citizen of Care a Lot or The Forest of Feelings with such a problem. I can honestly say avoiding hard drinks is hard for some of us. Bumble Berry wine just does not cut it for some. The same for All Care Ale. We need a bit more to get a buzz out of life. Just one sip can lead to one too many in a short time. It sounds like your friend has such a problem. Oh excuse me, here comes another customer. I'll be right back."

Funshine sipped his espresso and watched Share scurry about as she waited on Hopeful Heart. Who was there for her usual morning tea and toast. "Just where does a girl like Share get all that energy" thought the athletic male. He watched as Share made sure everyone else had the food or beverage they wanted. She then hurried out back for a moment. Share returned with something in her hand paw. It was a booklet.

"I found this useful in helping me deal with a certain problem" said Share. "Grumpy also read it. We shared its advice. You may borrow it for a while. Yourself and your friend should read it. You may be surprised by who the author is." Share handed it to Funshine.

Funshine looked at the booklet's cover. "Understanding the Root Causes and Problems with Alcoholic Drinking by Sharika N. Heart" said Funshine as he read aloud. Funshine cocked his head in thought. "Gee, that name seems to ring a bell" he said.

Share giggled. "Well, it was written by a female who fled from Care a Lot. Hiding out on Earth like a true Human. She is now well known down on Earth. As a Hard Rock singer who walked away from possible fame. All because life on the road as a Singer led to Drugs and Drinking. So she returned to Care a Lot and The Fifth Dimension. Leaving many on Earth wondering just what became of her. Up here she is well known too. As Shreeky."

"Amazing" said Funshine as he flipped through some pages. "This photo of her looks nothing like the bad little girl we once knew."

Share grinned. "Sharika is living proof some individuals can attain true redemption. Whether on Earth in the Fourth Dimension, or on Care a Lot in the Fifth Dimension. I hope I have redeemed myself. Let's hope your friend can too."

Funshine spent that evening reading the booklet. Some of his own bad tendencies were addressed. He realized just how easy it is to become too dependent on many things. From too many sweets to Soft Drinks such as Joke a Cola. Life's many pleasures can tempt anyone to make bad choices. Those bad choices can lead to many less than desirable outcomes. Funshine went to bed a much wiser Care Bear. He awoke the next morning ready to change his life for the better. As well as that of his friend. But first he needed to visit an enemy of the past, if she was in a certain rustic old Castle.

Funshine had on his small back pack as he sounded the gong outside the castle's gate. A reddish furred Bear appeared on a stone balcony. He yelled down loudly "who or what goes there". Funshine yelled up to the Bear. "It is me, Funshine. Is Shreeky, I mean Sharika, home?

The red furred Bear hastily made his way down and opened the gate. "Funshine, how nice to see you" Too Loud yelled. Like always Too Loud lived up to his name. Funshine was prepared for that. He had small discrete earplugs in each ear. Loudly the two Bears exchanged small talk. They were soon joined in by none other than Shreeky herself. The former Hard Rock Singer was not wearing her hearing aids. So a very loud three way conversation was soon going on.

Shreeky was proud as Funshine took out the booklet Share had lent him. After a pleasant visit Funshine left with the original booklet and a new one. Each safely tucked away in his backpack. He certainly didn't want to lose Share's copy. For it now bore a short message inside the back cover. Inside the front cover was the Author's newly inked autograph. With her real name and the nickname she often avoided.

Shreeky had also signed the copy she had given to Funshine. An old foe of the past was now a current friend. Funshine was relieved to take the earplugs out of his ears. He made a vow to himself to be more careful of protecting his own hearing. He then set out to visit Playful Heart's unique home.

Playful Heart's home was like a large fancy tree house. His cabin was built around a tree. The tree had a rope ladder which led from the first floor to another nestled among strong branches. However the second floor was not putting any pressure on the tree. It was discretely supported by camouflaged wooden posts. There was also a rope for swinging.

After ringing the doorbell Funshine heard a monkey's call. Then watched amused as Playful Heart swung among some branches. Making his way down to finally land a few feet from Funshine. After some trash talk Funshine followed his friend inside the unique little home. One which was small but cozy.

No sooner had they gone inside when Playful Heart offered Funshine an All Care Ale. "No thank you" said Funshine. "I have something a bit healthier with quite a bite. Share Bear got it from a Human friend. On Earth there is Root Beer, a soft drink seemingly misnamed. Share acquired another misnamed drink. Here is a Ginger Beer. The brewing process can naturally form a bit of alcohol. It only has a trace of alcohol, yet it has the bite of firewater. Here, try a bottle."

Playful Heart tried a sip. "Wow, this does have a bite! Are you sure this is not a liquor?" Funshine laughed then frowned as he took out the Pamphlet newly signed by Sharika.

"This is hard for me to say" stuttered Funshine. "I have become concerned with your alcohol consumption. So have some of your friends. Also a former nemesis. If she can change for the better so can you and I."

Playful Heart took the booklet. He looked stunned for a moment. "Is my drinking really that noticeable?" Funshine nodded yes . Playful Heart slowly flipped through some pages. He noticed a sheet of paper tucked inside. He looked incredulous as he read a signed letter. With the author's name and nickname. Then Playful Heart looked at Funshine. "Did you read this letter?"

Funshine shook his head. "No, it is addressed to you so I thought it may be private" said Funshine. Playful Heart looked the pamphlet over some more as he sipped the ginger beer. Then he gave Funshine a pat on the back.

"You are a true friend for caring for the likes of me. I can't believe what Shreeky wrote. She said alcoholic drinks are sometimes referred to as Firewater. If you drink too much you are playing with fire. You will get burned. So try to dampen that fire. I know you can do it. You are a Care Cousin, with the powers of a Care Bear. Bears and Cousins are lower than the Angels, but higher than Humans."

"Many Humans have dealt with alcoholism. Unlike you they cannot travel between Dimensions. Yet those lower Humans have put a man on their Moon. If they can put a Man on the Moon, then a Care Cousin should be able to get sober. If you believe and keep Faith."

Playful Heart sighed. He looked at Funshine. "I like how she worded this. I will try to lay off alcohol. I hereby pledge to live a healthier lifestyle. No matter how hard life gets."

Playful Heart took another sip of the ginger beer. 'You know what, this could make for a much healthier substitute. I have got to thank Share, and see if her friend can supply us all with a few bottles of this. Who knows, maybe someone here in Care a lot can manufacture some. In Care a Lot we have a native Ginger plant similar to that on Earth."

A few months later Funshine and Playful Heart sipped some soda pops as they played Rummy. Playful Heart laughed ruefully as he pointed at the label on the bottle he held. "Care to sip Ginger Beer. Manufactured by Ginger Bear and Co.; F.O.F."

Funshine grinned. "We get healthier and my cousin Ginger gets wealthier. At least she gives us a discount on every case."

Playful Heart now grinned. "Sweet Treat Pig and Beastly get that and a cut of the profits. That rascal Beastly has a knack for rooting out ever more ginger root here in Care a Lot." He then patted his tummy. "If we drink too many more of these we may need to spend more time at the gym."

Funshine laughed. "I get first dibs on using the Monkey Bars!"