

The Bear and the Two Travelers.Two men were traveling together, when a bear suddenly met them on theirpath. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree, and concealed himselfin the branches. The other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flaton 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 appearanceof death as much as he could. The Bear soon left him, for it is said hewill not touch a dead body. When he was quite gone, the other travelerdescended from the tree, and, accosting his friend, jocularly inquired"what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear?" His friend replied: "Hegave me this advice: Never travel with a friend who deserts you at theapproach of danger." Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. From Aesop's Fables |