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TWO MEN were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on
their path. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and concealed
himself in the branches. The other, seeing that he must be attacked,
fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear came up and felt him with
his snout, and smelt him all over, he held his breath, and feigned
the appearance of death as much as he could. The Bear soon left him,
for it is said he will not touch a dead body. When he was quite
gone, the other Traveler descended from the tree, and jocularly
inquired of his friend what it was the Bear had whispered in his
ear. "He gave me this advice," his companion replied. "Never travel
with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger."
Moral:
Misfortune tests the
sincerity of friends
The Bear and the Two Travelers
Fable
A Fable
by
Aesop |
