The Whisper of the Bear
Leo and Tom were the best of friends, and one day they were walking through the forest. Suddenly, a huge bear appeared in their path.
Without a second thought, Leo ran and climbed the nearest tree, leaving his friend Tom all alone. Tom knew he couldn't escape, so he remembered an old piece of advice and fell to the ground as if he were dead, holding his breath.
The bear came close to Tom. It began to sniff his face and ears curiously. Tom could feel the bear's warm breath and his heart was pounding with fear, but he remained perfectly still.
Once the bear was convinced the boy wasn't moving, it walked away. Leo climbed down from the tree and asked his friend, with a mix of curiosity and mockery, "I saw the bear whisper in your ear. What did it tell you?"
Tom looked at him calmly and replied, "It gave me some valuable advice. It told me: never travel with a friend who abandons you at the first sign of danger." Then he turned and left him alone to think about the friendship he had betrayed.
Moral Values and Lessons
- A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed: True friendship is shown in difficult times, not just in happy ones.
- Courage vs. Cowardice: Courage isn't just about facing danger, but also about standing by your friends.
- Quick Thinking: Staying calm and thinking clearly can save you from the toughest situations.
- Actions Speak Louder than Words: It doesn't matter what you say; what you do defines who you are.
Comprehension Questions
- Who were the two friends in the story?
- What danger did they suddenly face in the forest?
- What did the first friend, Leo, do when he saw the bear?
- What did the second friend, Tom, do to save himself?
- What was the "advice" that Tom said the bear whispered to him?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Do you think Leo was always a bad friend, or did he just get very scared?
- Why didn't Tom shout at his friend or fight with him in the end?
- Was Tom's clever reply better than arguing? Why?
Questions to Connect the Story to Daily Life
- What are the qualities of a true friend in your opinion?
- Have you ever been in a tough situation where a friend stood by you? How did it feel?
- What does it mean to be a loyal friend?
Fun Activities
- Draw: Draw the most dramatic scene: Tom lying on the ground as the huge bear bends down to sniff him, while Leo watches from the tree above.
- Trust Game: (With a grown-up) Have someone close their eyes, and guide them with your voice through a safe "obstacle course" in a room. This shows the importance of trusting a friend.
- Act it Out: Act out the final scene. One person is Leo, climbing down curiously. The other is Tom, delivering his calm and wise reply.