Two friends were walking in the forest. One is tall, and the other is short. The tall man said to the other, We are good friends. If any beast comes, I"ll help you. The short man answered,Of course, we are good friends.

　　At this time a bear came to them. The tall man quickly climbed up a tree, but the short one couldn"t. He said,Help me, I can"t climb up. But the tall man said, No, the tree is not strong.

　　The short man had to throw himself to the ground and held his breath. The bear smelt him and went away. The tall man came down and asked,What did the bear say to you?

　　He runs awayfrom you when you are in great need. He is not your friend, he answered.

　　Remember: A friend in need is a friend indeed.

【参考译文】

两个朋友正在森林中行走。两人一个是高个子，一个是矮个子。高个子对矮个子说：我们是朋友。如果来了野兽，我会帮你的。矮个子说，当然了，我们是朋友嘛！

正在这时，一只熊朝他们走来。高个子一下子跳上了树，而矮个子上不去。他说：帮帮我，我爬不上去。可是高个子却说，不行，这棵树不太结实。

矮个子只能扑到地上，屏住呼吸。熊闻了闻，走开了。高个子下来问，熊对你说什么啦？

在你最需要帮助时他离开了你，他不是你的朋友，矮个子说。

记住：患难的朋友才是真正的朋友。