The Bear and the Two Travelers – An English fairy tale with a list of vocabulary and expressions to improve your reading comprehension and expand your vocabulary
Source of story: Gutenberg Project at www.gutenberg.org
The Bear and the Two Travelers
Two men were traveling together, when a bear suddenly met them on their path.
- path: route, track
One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and concealed himself in the branches.
- concealed: hid
The other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the bear came up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over, he held his breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he could.
- snout: animal’s nose
- feign: pretend, fake, invent
The bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch a dead body.
When he was quite gone, the other traveler descended from the tree, and jocularly inquired of his friend what it was the bear had whispered in his ear.
- descended: went down
- jocularly: humorously
- inquire: ask questions
- whisper: breathe words quietly or voicelessly
“He gave me this advice,” his companion replied.
- companion: friend
“Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger.”
- desert you: leave you alone
Related idioms or proverbs
Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Fair-weather friend
We respond to all comments immediately. View the 30 newest comments and new topics in forums.