Two travelers, John and Bob, are walking through a forest. They are best friends.
John: It’s getting dark. How much longer must we go, Bob?
Bob: We are almost there.
John: I’m scared. Let’s hurry.
Bob: Don’t be scared, John. I’m here.
John: But what if we meet a Lion or maybe a Bear?
Bob: Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.
John: Really?
Bob: Of course. We are best friends. Right? I’ll always protect you.
John: Thanks, Bob. You are a true friend.
Bob: Come on. Let’s go. We have to go over that hill.
John: Bob, let’s rest here for a while. I’m tired.
John and Bob decide to rest for a few minutes before going over the hill.
Bob: We can rest here for a while. But we can’t stay too long. The sun will go down soon.
John: My feet hurt. I’m going to take off my shoes.
John takes off his shoes. Suddenly, he hears a strange sound.
John: Did you hear that, Bob?
Bob: What?
John: I hear a strange sound.
Bob: What strange sound? I didn’t hear anything.
John: I really heard something.
Bob: What did it sound like?
John: I’m not sure. But it sounded like a Bear.
Bob: A Bear?! That can’t be. There aren’t any bears around here.
John: I hope you are right.
The two listen carefully for a while. They don’t hear anything.
Bob: I told you it’s nothing. Don’t worry. Besides, if it’s a Bear, I’ll protect you.
John: Thanks, Bob. You’re really brave. I’m glad you’re my friend.
Bob: I’m your best friend You can always trust me. Let’s go now, John. Put on your shoes.
John: Okay.
John is putting on his shoes. A Bear sees the two.
Bear: I’m hungry. I need some food. Hey, look over there! My worries are over. There is my lunch and dinner. Hee, hee, hee.
The Bear comes out of the bush.
Bear: Hello, you two! Don’t run away! I’m going to eat you up!
Bob: Oh my goodness! It’s a Bear!!! A real Bear!!!
Bob runs away quickly by himself. He doesn’t think of John. John still doesn’t have his shoes on. So he can’t run very fast.
Bob: Run for your life!!!
John: Wait for me, Bob! I can’t run that fast! Help me, please! Bob doesn’t help John. He climbs up a tree by himself.
John: I can’t climb up a tree. What shall I do? Maybe I’ll pretend to be dead. Bears don’t eat dead meat.
John pretends to be dead. He just lies down on the ground. .
Bear: I got you! Sniff. Sniff. Get up! I know you’re not dead. Come on, get up. Hmm. Maybe he really is dead. He is not moving or breathing. But he is warm. I don’t understand.
The Bear keeps sniffing John. It looks as if the Bear was whispering something to John.
Bear: Perhaps he’s dead. I better just go for now.
The Bear leaves John alone and goes. Bob comes down from the tree.
Bob: John! Are you okay?
John: I think so. But why didn’t you help me?
Bob: I was going to help, but the Bear just went away. Please forgive me. But what did the Bear whisper to you?
John: Do you really want to know?
Bob: Yes, I’m really curious.
John: Well, he told me to stay away from you. A friend that runs away by himself is not a true friend. I agree with him. You are not my true friend. Good-bye.
MORAL
A friend in need is a friend indeed.