The Two Travellers

Two men were travelling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on their path. One of the men climbed up quickly into a tree and hid himself in the branches. The other man, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat on the ground. When the Bear came up and felt the man with his nose, and smelt the man all over, the man held his breath and pretended to look dead. The Bear soon left the man, for it is said that a Bear will not touch a dead body. When the Bear was quite gone, the other Traveller came down from the tree, and happily 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.” We often say in English that a “friend in need, is a friend indeed”. This means that true friends stay around when you are in trouble and help you; therefore, when you have trouble you will soon know who your true friends are.