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LESSON 15
Two men were going through a forest.
“I am afraid,” said one, “that we may meet with wild beasts; I see the tracks of their paws on the ground.”
“Fear nothing, friend Quickwit,” cried the other, whose name was Braggart. “In case of an attack we shall stand by one another like men. I have a strong arm, a stout heart, and—”
“Hark!” cried the first in alarm, as a low growl was heard from a thicket
near. In an instant Braggart, who was light and nimble,
climbed up a tree like a squirrel, leaving his friend, who was not so active, to face the danger alone!
But Quickwit’s presence of mind
did not fail him. He could not fight, he could not fly; but he laid himself flat on the ground, and held his breath, so as to appear quite dead. Out of the thicket rushed a huge bear, and at once made up to poor Quickwit; while Braggart looked down, trembling, from his perch in the tree.
One may guess what were the feelings of Quickwit when the bear snuffed all round him, coming so near that he could feel its warm breath, when its muzzle
was close to his ear! But Quickwit did not wince
or move; and the bear, thinking him dead, plunged
again into the thicket, leaving him quite unharmed!
When Braggart saw that the danger was over, he came down from the tree. Somewhat ashamed
of his cowardly conduct, he tried to pass off the matter with a joke.
“Well, my friend Quickwit,” he said, “what did the bear say to you when he whispered into your ear?”
“He told me,” replied Quickwit, “never again to trust a boaster like you!”
The hour of danger often shows that the greatest boasters are the greatest cowards. Let courage
be proved by deeds, not by words.
What were the names of the two friends? Which appeared to be the braver, from his way of speaking? What did he do when the growl of the bear was heard? Who is lying close to the bear in the picture? Is he dead, or what? How did the other try to pass off the matter? What was the bear’s advice?
Quick´-wit ap-pear´ squir´-rel cow´-ard-ly leav´-ing
Brag´-gart con´-duct trem´-bling whis´-pered boast´-ers
at-tack´ cour´-age un-harmed´ think´-ing dan´-ger
