Fable 254 - The Travellers and the Bear

Two friends were travelling along the same path together when a bear suddenly appeared. One of them quickly climbed up a tree
and hid himself there. The other, who was about to be caught, threw himself down on the ground and feigned death. The bear sniffed
him all over with his muzzle, but the man held his breath. For it is said that a bear will not touch a corpse.
When the bear had gone away, the man hiding in the tree came down and asked his friend what the bear had whispered in his ear.
The other replied: ‘Not to travel in future with friends who slip away when there is danger.’

This fable shows that when danger threatens, true friends will face it.