Alex, feeling a sense of wonder and excitement, asked, "What does it mean?"

Alex thought for a moment before nodding. "I will try," he said, his voice filled with determination.

"Welcome, young Alex," the old man said, his voice warm and gentle. "I have been expecting you. My name is Bear, and I am the guardian of this forest. The inscription on the tree is a riddle, one that only those with a pure heart and a love for nature can solve."

As the old man spoke, Alex noticed that Thunder had wandered closer, nuzzling the bear gently. The bear, in turn, wrapped a protective paw around the horse's neck, and the two seemed to share a moment of understanding.

The old man smiled, placing a hand on Alex's shoulder. "That is all any of us can do. Remember, the wild heart is within you, and with it, you can face anything."

The old man smiled. "Bareback refers not just to riding without a saddle, but to facing challenges head-on, without protection or pretension. Bears represent strength, resilience, and the wild heart that beats within us all. And Daddy #36," he chuckled, "well, that's a bit of a personal reference. You see, I have been watching over this forest for many years, and I have come to be known to the creatures here as 'Daddy Bear.' The number 36 is simply a marker of my many years of service."