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.
两个好朋友结伴同行，忽然迎面遇上了一头熊。其中一个人飞快地爬上了树，并用树枝将自己掩藏起来；另一个人眼看自己逃脱不了，情急之下顺势往地上一躺。熊用鼻子把他从头到脚嗅了一遍。这人屏住呼吸，一动也不敢动，假装死人，因为据说熊是不吃死人的。果然，熊掉头走掉了。树上的人下来后问他的朋友：“熊在你耳边到底说了些什么？”对方回答说：“熊告诉我，以后别再和遇到危险只顾自己逃命的人同行了。”
患难见真情。