Tom and John were hiking in a forest.
The two men were very close friends.
"We have been friends for many years," said Tom.
"Yes, we have," agreed John, "since we were children!"
Tom was lucky because he had found gold on his farm.
He became rich, but John was still very poor.
Tom's family lived in a mansion, but John's family lived in a small cabin.
"John, I think your family needs a new house," said Tom.
"Yes, of course we do, but we are too poor," said John.
"Please, let me help you build a new house," offered Tom.
"I've had good luck, and I want to share it with you."
"Oh, thank you, Tom," said John.
"You are a true friend."
Merrily, John and Tom walked through the forest.
Suddenly, they saw a bear.
The bear also saw them and ran toward them.
John was a very fast runner.
He left Tom behind and ran as fast as he could.
Quickly, he climbed a tree.
Tom could not run away from the bear.
He turned around and saw that the bear was very close.
"It is no use.
I am finished.
The bear will eat me," he said.
Suddenly, Tom had an idea.
"Bears do not eat dead people," he thought.
So Tom lay down on the ground.
He held his breath.
He tried to lie very, very still.
The bear sniffed Tom, but Tom did not move.
The bear looked at Tom very closely, then he licked his ear.
Tom still did not move.
"Oh, please don't eat me. Please!" thought Tom.
Finally, the bear walked away.
John saw the bear walk away.
So he climbed down and ran up to Tom.
"The bear did not eat you," he said.
"No, he didn't."
John was surprised.
Tom did not look very happy.
"Tom, you should be happy. You're alive!"
"I guess so," said Tom.
John wondered why Tom was upset.
"Did the bear whisper something to Tom?" he thought.
"Tom, what did the bear whisper in your ear?" he asked.
Tom answered, "The bear said, 'Your friend has run away.
He is not a very good friend.'"
John realized that he had not been a true friend.
Tom walked away sadly.
John was very sad and ashamed.
He had lost his friend.
Remember, a true friend will always help.