THE BEAR AND THE TWO TRAVELLERS.
Two men were travelling together when a bear suddenly met them on their path. One of them quickly climbed up into a tree, and concealed himself among the branches. The other, seeing that he was in danger, fell flat upon 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 traveller descended from the tree, and, accosting his friend, jocularly inquired "What it was the bear had whispered in his ear?" He replied "He gave me this advice: Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger."
Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.
