FABLE XXXVI
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Leo and Sam were good friends. They went for a walk. They walked in a big, green forest. They talked about their trip. They promised to help. They promised bravery. They would stay together always. They were happy to walk.
They walked and talked. They heard a sound. Then, a big bear came. It came from the green trees. The bear was very, very big. It ran fast. It ran to Leo and Sam.
Leo saw the big bear. He was very scared. Leo was quick and fast. He ran to a tall, strong tree. He climbed the tree. He went up, up, up high. Leo left Sam alone. Sam was on the ground. Leo did not look back.
Sam could not climb the tree. He was not fast like Leo. Sam thought quickly. He fell to the ground. He lay very, very still. Sam held his breath. He pretended to be asleep. He was like a quiet statue. He did not move at all.
The big bear came very close. It walked to Sam. The bear put its nose down. It sniffed Sam. Sniff, sniff. Sam did not move. He was very, very still. The bear thought Sam was asleep. It did not want to play. The bear did not hurt Sam. It walked away. It went back into the trees.
The big bear was gone now. Leo came down the tall tree. He jumped to the ground. Leo smiled at Sam. He asked Sam a question. Leo asked, "What did the bear say?" He laughed.
Sam slowly stood up. He looked at Leo. Sam said, "The bear told me something." He said, "True friends always stay close." He said, "They always help you." He said, "They are always there." He said, "Trust friends who stay." This is what it said.
Sam learned a big lesson that day. He knew who his true friend was. A true friend always stays. They always help.
Original Story
FABLE XXXVI.
THE TRAVELLERS AND THE BEAR.
Two men, being about to travel through a forest together, mutually promised to stand by each other in any danger they should meet on the way. They had not gone far when a Bear came rushing towards them out of a thicket; upon which, one, being a light, nimble fellow, got up into a tree. The other, falling flat upon his face, and holding his breath, lay still, while the Bear came up and smelled at him; but that creature, supposing him to be a dead carcass, went back to the wood without doing him the least harm. When all was over, the man who had climbed the tree came down to his companion, and, with a pleasant smile, asked what the Bear had said to him; "For," says he, "I took notice that he clapped his mouth very close to your ear." "Why," replied the other, "he charged me to take care, for the future, not to put any confidence in such cowardly rascals as you are."
MORAL.
Nothing is more common than to hear people profess friendship when there is no occasion for it; but he is a true friend who is ready to assist us in the time of danger and difficulty. Choose, therefore, friends whom you can depend on for such a time, and greatly value them.
Story DNA
Moral
True friends are those who stand by you in times of danger and difficulty, not just when it's convenient.
Plot Summary
Two men promise to protect each other while traveling through a forest. When a bear attacks, one man selfishly climbs a tree, leaving his companion to fend for himself. The abandoned man plays dead, and the bear, thinking him a carcass, leaves. When the first man descends and mockingly asks what the bear whispered, his companion reveals the 'bear's advice' was to never trust cowardly friends.
Themes
Emotional Arc
false security to betrayal to wisdom
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often feature talking animals or personified creatures to convey moral lessons, a tradition dating back to Aesop.
Plot Beats (7)
- Two men agree to travel through a forest and promise mutual support in danger.
- A bear suddenly appears, rushing towards them.
- One man, being nimble, immediately climbs a tree to save himself.
- The other man, unable to climb, falls to the ground, holds his breath, and pretends to be dead.
- The bear approaches, sniffs the man, and, thinking he is a dead carcass, leaves him unharmed and returns to the wood.
- The man from the tree descends and playfully asks his companion what the bear had whispered to him.
- The abandoned man replies that the bear advised him never to trust cowardly friends like the one who climbed the tree.
Characters
The Nimble Traveller
A man of average height with a slender, agile build, indicating a lifestyle of physical activity and quick reflexes. His movements are light and swift.
Attire: Practical, sturdy traveling clothes suitable for a forest journey, such as a simple tunic made of coarse linen or wool, perhaps in muted earth tones like brown or grey, with matching trousers and worn leather boots. He might carry a small satchel.
Wants: To ensure his own survival above all else; to avoid danger.
Flaw: Extreme cowardice and a lack of loyalty, leading him to abandon others in peril.
Does not change; his true cowardly nature is revealed, solidifying his character as unreliable.
Cowardly, self-preserving, quick-witted (in a selfish way), opportunistic, and later, somewhat mocking.
The Steadfast Traveller
A man of sturdy, perhaps slightly stocky build, suggesting resilience and a grounded nature. He is not as quick as his companion but possesses inner strength.
Attire: Durable, practical traveling clothes, similar to his companion but perhaps slightly heavier, indicating a more grounded approach. A dark green wool tunic, sturdy brown breeches, and well-worn leather boots. He might carry a simple wooden staff.
Wants: To travel safely and uphold his promises; later, to expose hypocrisy and teach a lesson.
Flaw: His initial trust in others, which can be misplaced.
Learns a valuable lesson about discerning true friends from false ones, becoming wiser and more cautious in his trust.
Trusting (initially), resourceful, calm under pressure, wise, and discerning.
The Bear
A large, powerful brown bear, with thick, shaggy fur that is a deep, rich brown color. It moves with a heavy, deliberate gait, but can rush with surprising speed when startled or aggressive. Its claws are long and sharp, and its snout is dark and wet.
Attire: None, as it is a wild animal.
Wants: To investigate intruders in its territory; to find food (though it avoids carrion).
Flaw: Its instinct to avoid what it perceives as dead or decaying, which saves the Steadfast Traveller.
Does not change; it acts purely on instinct.
Instinct-driven, curious, cautious (regarding dead things), territorial.
Locations
Dense Forest Path
A narrow, winding path cutting through a dense, ancient forest. The ground is covered with fallen leaves and twigs, and the air is cool and damp. Sunlight struggles to penetrate the thick canopy of mature trees, creating a dappled, shadowy effect.
Mood: initially peaceful, then suddenly tense and dangerous
The two travelers begin their journey, encounter the bear, and one climbs a tree while the other plays dead.
Thicket at Forest Edge
A dense cluster of bushes and smaller trees at the edge of the main forest, providing cover. The foliage is thick and tangled, suggesting a hidden lair or a place from which an animal might suddenly emerge.
Mood: sudden danger, hidden threat
The bear rushes out from this thicket, initiating the conflict.