TWO MEN were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on
their path. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and concealed
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 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 Traveler
descended from the tree, and jocularly inquired of 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.
