Two Friends and the Bear

There was a dense forest, and a narrow trail cut through it, the shortest way to the village on the other side. Two friends were walking that trail one evening. One was called Ramu, the other Shyamu.

They'd grown up together, same street, same school. They were coming back from a mela that day, small packets of sweets still in their hands, talking the way old friends do, about the village, about the mischief they'd gotten into as kids. The road was long, but it never felt that way with someone beside you. They'd made a promise once, long ago, that whatever happened, they'd never leave each other alone in trouble.

The sun was starting to dip, and the trail was emptying out. Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes, close and sharp. Both of them froze. A large bear stepped out from the undergrowth, moving slowly, but heading straight toward them.

Ramu spotted an old tree nearby, thick trunk, high branches. Without thinking, without even glancing at Shyamu, he scrambled up it, higher and higher, well out of the bear's reach.

Shyamu was left standing there alone. No tree to climb, no time left to run. The bear was only a few steps away now, close enough that he could hear it breathing.

Then he remembered something he'd once heard, a bear won't touch a body it thinks is already dead. With nothing else to try, Shyamu dropped to the ground, held his breath, shut his eyes, and lay completely still, as if the life had already left him.

The bear came closer. It sniffed, slowly, moving along his whole body. Then it brought its face right up to his ear, and stayed there a moment, as if checking something. Shyamu's heart was pounding, but he didn't move.

Finally, seemingly satisfied there was nothing here for it, the bear turned and disappeared back into the trees.

Shyamu didn't move for a long time after that. The birds started up again somewhere above him, and only once he was certain the bear was truly gone did he get up, slowly, still shaking.

Ramu climbed down and ran over. "Shyamu, are you alright? What did it say, so close to your ear like that?"

Shyamu brushed himself off, took a long breath, and looked Ramu straight in the eye. "It told me never to trust a friend who leaves you alone the moment there's danger."

Ramu had nothing to say. His face fell. They walked on in silence, the sweets still in hand, but the road never quite felt the same again.

My Thoughts on This Story

 

Friendship today often comes down to convenience, and this isn't just about school or college friends, it applies to every kind of relationship. If someone doesn't stand by you in hard times, then shows up acting close again once things are good, you don't owe them the same place back. It's better to give your time and trust to people who genuinely want good for you, not the ones who only perform it.

 

Has this happened to you, a friend or relationship that only remembered you when they needed something, or someone who stood by you through every hard time, without needing a reason?