The Two Fellows and the Bear

TWO Fellows were travelling together through a wood, when a Bear rushed out upon them. One of the travellers happened to be in front, and he seized hold of the branch of a tree, and hid himself among the leaves. The other, seeing no help for it, threw himself flat down upon the ground, with his face in the dust. The Bear, coming up to him, put his muzzle close to his ear, and sniffed and sniffed. But at last with a growl he shook his head and slouched off, for bears will not touch dead meat. Then the fellow in the tree came down to his comrade, and, laughing, said: "What was it that Master Bruin whispered to you?" "He told me," said the other,

"Never trust a friend who deserts you at a pinch."

From The Two Fellows and the Bear by Aesop, translated by Joseph Jacobs (1894). Public domain.

Check your understanding

1. According to the passage, why does the bear leave the traveler who is lying on the ground?

The traveler in the tree throws branches at it.Bears will not touch dead meat.The bear is frightened by the traveler's face.The bear is not hungry enough to eat.

2. Based on the context of the story, what does the phrase 'at a pinch' mean in the final sentence?

When someone physically pinches you.During a difficult or dangerous situation.When you are traveling through a dark wood.When an animal is whispering to you.

3. Compare how the two travelers react when the bear first rushes out at them. What do their reactions reveal about their friendship?

4. The author describes the bear as having 'slouched off' after sniffing the man. What does the word 'slouched' suggest about the bear's attitude or feelings in that moment?

5. Why does the man who was on the ground claim that the bear 'told' him not to trust his friend? Use evidence from the passage to explain your inference.