29.The Bear and the Two Travellers
TWO MEN were travelling together, when a bear suddenly met them on their path. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and hid 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 to be dead 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 climbed down from the tree, and jocularly 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 when danger approaches.'”
❖ Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.
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