The Bear and the Two Travelers

Two men are walking through a forest when a Bear comes crashing out of the bushes; one climbs a tree to save himself, and the other lies still as if dead while the Bear sniffs at his ear. When the Bear has gone, the man in the tree asks what it whispered, and his friend tells him.

Scene 1: Into the Forest

The Bear and the Two Travelers. Two men were traveling together through a forest. The sun shone down through the leaves, and the path was quiet. All at once, a big Bear came crashing out of the bushes near them!

Scene 2: Up the Tree

One of the men thought only of his own safety. Quick as a squirrel, he climbed a tree and hid among the leaves. His friend could not climb so fast, and he could not fight the Bear alone. So he threw himself flat on the ground and lay very still, as if he were dead. He had heard that a Bear will not touch anyone who seems to be dead.

Scene 3: Sniff, Sniff

The Bear padded closer and closer. He sniffed at the man's head, and snuffed at his ear for a long while. The man held his breath and did not move at all. At last the Bear seemed sure that he was dead, and he walked slowly away.

Scene 4: What Did the Bear Say?

Then the man in the tree climbed down. With a little laugh, he said: “It looked just as if that Bear whispered in your ear. What did he tell you?” His friend answered: “He said that it was not at all wise to keep company with a fellow who would desert his friend in a moment of danger.” Misfortune is the test of true friendship.

Moral: Misfortune is the test of true friendship.

Questions about The Bear and the Two Travelers

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