Two persons were travelling together through a wood, when a bear rushed out towards them.
One of the travellers who happened to be in front, seized hold of a branch of a tree, and hid himself among the leaves.
The other, seeing no help in sight, threw himself flat down upon the ground, with his face in the dust.
The bear, upon approaching the man on the ground, put his muzzle close to the ear of the person who lay motionless, 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”
MORAL: “Never trust a friend who deserts you at a pinch”