In a summer’s day two friends were travelling together through a wood. As they were proceeding on their way, a great Bear came rushing down upon them. One of the travellers, being able to run faster than the other, got quickly up into a tree and hid himself among the branches. The other, not so nimble, threw himself flat down on the ground and tried to appear as if he were dead. The Bear, coming up to him, put his muzzle close to his ear and sniffed and sniffed, but at last he seemed to think that his master was dead, and waddled slowly away, chewing some berries which he had gathered by the way.
When the Bear had disappeared, the other traveller came down from his perch in the tree, and asked his companion what it was the Bear had whispered to him. “He gave me this advice,” said the other:
“Never trust a friend who deserts in danger.”
True friends are never apart in danger.