Tom and John were two friends. One day they were passing through a dense forest.
John said, “Friend, I am afraid there are wild beasts in this forest. What will we do if a wild beast attacks us?”
“Don’t be afraid, John,” said Tom, “I shall stand by your side if any danger comes. We shall fight together and save ourselves.” Thus talking they went on their journey.
But suddenly they saw a bear coming towards them. Tom at once got up the nearest tree. He did not think what his friend would do.
John did not know how to climb a tree. He had no way of escape. He was helpless.
But soon he took a plan. He fell flat on the ground like a dead man.
The bear came up to John. It smelt his nose, ears and eyes. It took him to be dead and went away.
Then Tom came down from the tree. He said to John, “What did the bear whisper in your ear?”
John said, “The bear told me not to trust a friend who leaves his friend in danger.”
An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; as a wild beast can harm your body, but an evil friend can wound your soul.
