The Bear’s whisper 熊的耳语

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.