TWO men were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly crossed their
path.
One of the men climbed quickly into a tree, and tried to conceal
himself in its branches.
Seeing that he must be attacked, the other one fell flat upon the
ground; and when the Bear came up, felt him with his snout, and smelt
him all over, the man held his breath, feigning death.
The Bear soon left him, for it is said a Bear will not touch a dead
body.
When the Bear had gone, the man in the tree came down to join his
companion, and, as a pleasant joke, inquired, “What was it that the
Bear whispered in your ear when he bent over you for so long?”
His friend replied very gravely: “He gave me this bit of advice, ‘Never
travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger.’”