Lesson 29
The Bear and the Two Travelers
This is a fable of two men who were traveling together, walking through
the woods on their way to a final destination. Suddenly, a bear appeared
before them on their path and frightened them.
Man 1: “I didn’t think twice, climbing quickly into a tree to save myself by
hiding in the branches.”
Man 2: “I followed my fellow traveler, but tripped. Knowing that I would
soon be attacked, I remained on the ground, motionless.”
Man 1: “From my safe spot I watched the bear as he felt the man lying
on the ground with his snout, smelling him and nuzzling him all over.”
Man 2: “I held my breath and pretended to be dead.”
The bear soon left, for it is said a bear will not touch a dead body.
When the bear was definitely gone, the other traveler descended from the
tree, and jokingly asked his friend a question.
Man 1: “What was it the bear whispered in your ear?”
Man 2: “He gave me this advice: Never travel with a friend who deserts
you at the approach of danger.”
The moral of this fable is: Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.
This passage has 188 words. Fluency Goal: 6th: Read 145 words in one minute, 7th: Read 167 words
in one minute, 8th: Read 171 words in one minute. The first highlighted word is the 145th word, the
second is the 167th word, and the third is the 171st word.
88 #10426—Practice with Purpose: Comprehension Strategies & Skills ©Beach City Press
Lesson 29
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Inferences
Part A
Directions: What or whom does this story remind you of in your own life? Record your ideas below.
Text-to-Self Connection:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Part B
Directions: Make inferences about “The Bear and the Two Travelers” and answer the questions below.
1. Why do you think the first man jumped into the tree and didn’t help his friend?
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. How do you think the second man felt to be left in danger?
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. How do you think the second man felt to have his friend make a joke once they were out of
danger? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. How might this experience have changed this friendship between the two men?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
©Beach City Press #10426—Practice with Purpose: Comprehension Strategies & Skills 89
Lesson 29
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Inferences (cont.)
Part C
Directions: What other text does this story remind you of? Record your ideas below.
Text-to-Text Connection:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Part D
Directions: What does this story teach us about the world? What can you learn about people by
reading this story? Record your ideas below.
Text-to-World Connection:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Part E
Directions: Use the story you chose to answer the following questions.
1. Title of the book or story:
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. What is one inference you can make about the text? Write it below.
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. What kind of connection can you make to this text? Circle one.
Text-to-Self Text-to-Text Text-to-World
4. What is the connection? Explain it below.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
90 #10426—Practice with Purpose: Comprehension Strategies & Skills ©Beach City Press
