The Bear and the Two Travellers

Two men were travelling together, when they met a Bear. One of the Travellers climbed up quickly into a tree and hid himself in the branches. The other fell flat on the ground, and when the bear came up and felt him with his snout; he held his breath, and lay still as he were dead.

The Bear thougt the man was dead and soon left him, for bears never touch a dead body.

When the Bear was gone, the other Traveller descended from the tree, and asked 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”/

Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.