The Two Fellows and the Bear

Story Summary
In this entertaining moral story, two travelers face a bear in the woods, leading one to hide in a tree while the other lies flat on the ground. After the bear leaves, the tree-dweller mocks his friend, only to learn a valuable lesson: never trust a friend who deserts you in a pinch. This short bedtime story highlights the importance of loyalty and the lessons learned from stories that resonate with readers.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
True friendship is tested in times of adversity, and those who abandon you in difficult moments cannot be trusted.
Historical Context
This story is a fable attributed to Aesop, a storyteller from ancient Greece known for imparting moral lessons through anthropomorphic tales. The narrative reflects themes of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal, common in Aesop's works, which have been retold and adapted across cultures for centuries, reinforcing their timeless relevance in moral education.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the importance of loyalty and trust in friendships, especially during challenging times. In modern life, a scenario might involve a colleague who abandons you during a critical project, leaving you to face the challenges alone; the experience serves as a reminder to value those who stand by you when times get tough, illustrating that true friendship is revealed in adversity.
You May Also Like

The Dog and the Cook
In this engaging moral tale, a rich man's grand feast leads his Dog to invite a friend, hoping to share the leftovers. However, the guest Dog is unceremoniously thrown out by the Cook, resulting in a painful fall and confusion about the evening's events. This story teaches young readers a valuable lesson about the consequences of overindulgence and the importance of knowing one's place.

Philosophers Three
In "Philosophers Three," a heartwarming moral story for young readers, a Bear, Fox, and Opossum confront a flood with distinct philosophies on survival. The Bear bravely fights the danger, the Fox cleverly hides, and the Opossum feigns death to avoid conflict, showcasing different approaches to facing threats and imparting valuable lessons about courage and wisdom in storytelling with morals. Each character's choice reflects the diverse strategies one can adopt in challenging situations, making it a thought-provoking short story with moral insights suitable for class 7.

The Lion and the Thorn
In this engaging moral tale, a lion, grateful for a shepherd's help in removing a thorn from his foot, spares him after a meal. However, when the shepherd is falsely accused and sentenced to be fed to the lions, one lion recognizes him and claims him as his own, leading to the shepherd's demise at the hands of the very creature he once aided. This timeless moral story serves as a cautionary reminder of how past kindness can be repaid in unexpected ways.
Other names for this story
"Deserted by a Friend, The Bear Encounter, Trust Among Friends, Two Travelers and a Bear, The Lesson of the Bear, Friends in Danger, Betrayal in the Woods, The Hidden Traveler"
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the theme of true friendship and loyalty, illustrating that those who abandon you in times of crisis are not trustworthy companions. It serves as a reminder to value relationships based on mutual support rather than superficial bonds.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.