Saturday, June 23, 2018

The Bear And The Two Travelers

The Bear And The Two Travelers 


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.

(Translated by George Fyler Townsend, 1814-1900)

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