Leo and Sam were the best of pals. One bright day, they decided to go on an adventure through a big, green forest. Birds were singing, and squirrels were scampering. "This is going to be the best day ever!" said Leo. Sam nodded, "As long as we stick together!"

They walked and walked, deeper into the woods, telling jokes and pointing out funny-shaped clouds. Suddenly, out from behind a giant bush, lumbered a huge, furry bear! It had big paws and a long snout.

Leo, who was a very fast climber, didn't waste a second. Zoom! Up he scrambled into the tallest tree he could find. He didn't even look back to see if Sam was okay.

Sam wasn't as quick at climbing. He knew he couldn't outrun the bear. But Sam remembered something his grandpa once told him: "Bears don't like to eat things that are already dead." So, quick as a flash, Sam dropped to the ground. He lay very, very still, holding his breath, pretending to be a log.

The big bear ambled over to Sam. It sniffed him all over, from his toes to his nose. Sniff, sniff, sniff went its wet nose right near Sam's ear. Sam stayed as still as a statue. He didn't even wiggle his nose! The bear must have thought, "Hmm, this boy isn't moving. He must not be very tasty." So, with a grunt, the bear turned around and lumbered back into the forest.

Once the bear was gone, Leo carefully climbed down from the tree. He tried to look brave, but his knees were still a little wobbly. He walked over to Sam, who was slowly getting up and brushing dirt off his clothes.

"Wow, Sam! That was close!" Leo said. "What did the bear whisper in your ear when it was sniffing you?"

Sam looked at Leo. He wasn't smiling. "The bear gave me some good advice," Sam said quietly. "It told me never to go on an adventure with a friend who runs away and leaves you when danger comes."

Leo looked down at his shoes. He knew Sam was right. And from that day on, Sam knew what a true friend really was.

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