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 Scorpion and the Frog
In the captivating moral story "The Scorpion and the Frog," a scorpion persuades a frog to carry him across a stream by promising not to sting him, claiming it would lead to both their deaths. However, midway across, the scorpion stings the frog, leading to their mutual demise, as he explains, "It's my nature." This meaningful story with a moral serves as a reminder of the inherent traits that can lead to tragic consequences, making it one of the short stories to learn morals from.
The Scorpion and the Ladybug
In "The Scorpion and the Ladybug," a well-known moral story, a Scorpion and a Ladybug form a friendship that leads the Scorpion to offer to carry her across a dangerous river. Despite his promise to never harm her, he ultimately stings her upon reaching safety, illustrating that one's inherent nature often prevails over intentions. This timeless moral story serves as an entertaining reminder that regardless of our wishes, we are bound to our true nature.
The Goat and the Ass
In "The Goat and the Ass," a story often shared as a childhood tale with moral lessons, a Goat envies the Ass for its better food and persuades it to pretend to be ill to escape hard labor. The Ass follows this misguided advice, injuring itself in a ditch, which ultimately leads to the Goat being killed to treat the Ass's wounds. This culturally significant moral story illustrates the dangers of envy and the consequences of poor decisions, making it a valuable lesson for kids and students alike.
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.