The Two Fellows and the Bear: Lesson plan

STORY OVERVIEW

Title and moral/theme: The Two Fellows and the Bear; True friendship is tested in times of adversity, and those who abandon you in difficult moments cannot be trusted.
Plot Summary: Two friends are traveling together when they are confronted by a bear. One friend hides in a tree, while the other lies flat on the ground. When the bear leaves, the friend in the tree comes down and laughs, only to learn that the other has received a vital lesson about trust in friendship.
Key Characters and Their Significance:
- The Two Fellows: Represents contrasting responses to adversity—one seeks self-preservation while the other demonstrates vulnerability.
- The Bear: Symbolizes the challenges and tests of friendship that reveal true character.

Learning Objectives:
- Students will understand the moral of the story and its relevance to real-life friendships.
- Students will analyze the characters' actions and their implications for trust and loyalty.
- Students will discuss how the story conveys simple lessons from stories that can be applied to their own lives.
- Students will reflect on the importance of having trustworthy friends during difficult times.
Discussion Questions:
- What would you have done if you were in the situation of the two fellows?
- How do the actions of the friend in the tree affect your perception of true friendship?
- Can you think of a time when you were tested in your friendships? What did you learn?
Required Materials:
- Copies of the story "The Two Fellows and the Bear"
- Whiteboard and markers
- Paper and pencils for notes

Opening Hook (5 min):
- Start with a brief discussion about friendships. Ask students to share what they think makes a good friend and how they would react in tough situations.
Story Exploration (15-20 min):
- Read the story aloud or have students take turns reading. After reading, ask students to summarize the plot and identify the key characters.
Analysis Exercises (15 min):
- Divide students into small groups to analyze the characters' choices. Each group will discuss the motivations behind the actions of the fellows and how those choices reflect on their friendship.
Application/Reflection (10 min):
- Bring the class back together and have each group share their findings. Encourage students to relate the moral of the story to their own experiences with friends.
Assessment Strategy (5 min):
- Conduct a quick quiz or reflection where students write one sentence about what they learned regarding trust and friendship from the story.

Extension Activities:
- Write a short story inspired by "The Two Fellows and the Bear" that explores another moral lesson.
- Create a comic strip that illustrates

Original text available on the story page.